Cairo in Alexander County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mary J. Safford

"Cairo's Angel"

— 1831-1891 —

Mary J. Safford Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, November 29, 2020

1. Mary J. Safford Marker

Inscription. First woman in the West to organize camp and hospital relief. Under Gen. Grant's personal command Mary Safford tended the wounded at the battles from Belmont to Shiloh 1861-1862, returning with the casualties by boat to Cairo. Being injured in service, she was forced to retire after Shiloh. Later she became one of the first women physicians of her day.

Erected 1961 by Daughters of the American Revolution (Egyptian Chapter).

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 37° 0.198′ N, 89° 10.418′ W. Marker is in Cairo, Illinois, in Alexander County. It is on Washington Avenue (U.S. 51) south of 17th Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is in front of Cairo Public Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1609 Washington Ave, Cairo IL 62914, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern

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Illinois — Little Egypt.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: President Clinton Visits Cairo, Illinois (here, next to this marker); The Cairo Public Library (a few steps from this marker); The Historic First Presbyterian Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); York the Slave (about 500 feet away); Seaman (about 500 feet away); The Cairo Custom House (about 500 feet away); Duncan Cannon (about 600 feet away); African American Troops in the Civil War (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cairo.

Also see . . . Mary J. Safford on Wikipedia. Safford was reported to be the first woman to perform an ovariotomy. She was also involved with the women's suffrage movement, and she was

Photographed by Jason Voigt, November 29, 2020

2. Mary J. Safford Marker

Marker is in front of Cairo Public Library

later an educator at Boston University (one of the first women elected to the Boston School Committee). (Submitted on November 29, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Mary J. Safford image. Click for full size.

By John Sartain, 1867

3. Mary J. Safford

Public domain (Project Gutenburg: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/21853/21853-h/images/safford.jpg)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 481 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 29, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.