Women of the Civil WarWomen may have received little recognition for their contribution to the war effort, but they were not spared (Civil War Women). Civil War women held many jobs and contributed greatly to the war. Loreta Velazquez disguised herself as a Confederate soldier, Rose O'Neal Greenhow was a spy for the Confederates, and Louisa May Alcott was a nurse for the Union soldiers. During the Civil War, women disguised themselves as men to help with war efforts. They disguised themselves for many reasons, including: to fight for their country, to fight for their rights, to fight alongside their husbands (A, B, C.) Loreta Velazquez was one of many women soldiers, she disguised herself as a soldier when her husband went to war and did not take her (Chang 50). Loreta Velazquez was as good as any other soldier: "Despite the fact that I was a woman, I was as good a soldier as any man around me, and as willing as any who to fight valiantly and to the end before giving in,” Velazquez said. (Women in uniform during the Civil War). Of Loreta Velazquez's role in the Confederate Army, the Forty say that "she fought valiantly, helping to repel wave after wave of attackers, in the sleet, snow, and fierce winds of a month of Frosty February (Military Women). Even though Loreta was a woman, she fought as hard as any man. Many women who went to fight had to disguise themselves to look like men. Loreta Velazquez was a very convincing man, with his short, black-cut hair and plastered facial hair. Velazquez even took the trouble to practice a low voice, a manly walk, and learned to spit in the streets (Chang 50). When trying on the Confederate uniform, Loreta could still tell she was a woman. What Loreta Velazquez... middle of paper ... and became commander. Rose O'Neal Greenhow was a spy for the Confederates; she was arrested for treason, but welcomed back as a hero. Louisa May Alcott was a union nurse who performed multiple daily tasks and worked in harsh conditions. There are many other women who contributed to the Civil War, but these are just a few. Work cited Chang, Ina. A separate battle: women and the civil war. New York: Penguin Group. 1996. Print. “Women of the Civil War” Women of the Civil War. Internet. April 1, 2014. Hall, Armstrong, Elizabeth. “My mother, they are spying. » Apple seeds. November 1, 2011: 20. Electronic library. Internet. March 5, 2014. “Military Women…” Contemporary Women’s Issues. Database. September 1, 2003: 35. Electronic library. Internet. March 5, 2014. “Rose O’Neal Greenhow.” Britannica School. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2014. Web. March 5, 2014 “Women in uniform during the civil war. » Electronic library. Internet. February 28. 2014.