Need some advice!!!

[memphis]

A friend of mine knows a young woman who is a Civil War fanatic. She really wants to be a soldier reenactor. In my day, we allowed females in the ranks because there were documented instances of female soldiers during the war. Apparently, she is getting a lot of resistance (Missouri) about joining up.

Anyone have any advice / suggestions for her? I've been out of reenacting for so long, I can't reliably say what's going on relative to this sort of thing. It seems to be a pretty stupid thing to do to deny someone the priviledge of being a reenactor if they really want to experience it and can enrich the unit as well.

By the way, she has 8 ancestors who fought in the WBTS!!!!

I'd especially like to hear from my old friend Blue Zouve.

Thanks for your sage advice.

Bill

 

[blue_zouave]

Bill, I haven't gone as a soldier for quite awhile myself. I was extremely lucky to find a unit which encouraged serious "women soldiers." Reenactors are comparatively scarce in the Pacific Northwest! I always made the point that I was not portraying a "woman soldier," just a soldier.

There's a great website with helpful information: http://www.geocities.com/womansoldier/

I think their newsgroup is still active.

Zou

 

[johan_steele]

Blue Zouve has given a superb link... her best bet is to find a tolerant unit. All I can do is wish her luck she's tackling a tough job.