Essay on Laura Secord Biography

They say history was written by winners, now this may be true but if you think about it, history is written by men. Every war photo, president/prime minister, rich person, explorer, they were all men. Think back to 5 women in history and what they did, maybe try 3? Now you may have been able to name a few but men have always dominated history, politics, sports, jobs wars and the world. I think it’s time that the world learns about more empowering women in history, starting with the amazing Canadian icon, Laura Secord. Secord (born Ingersoll) was born on September 13, 1775, to Thomas Ingersoll and Elizabeth Dewey in Barrington Massachusetts and died on October 17 1868 in Chippawa (what now is Niagara falls) at 93 years old. Growing up she had 3 sisters and a brother and they lived in what at the time was a middle-class household. When Secord was 20 her family moved to Queenston, making them loyalists. She then married James Secord (taking the last name) and they had 7 children together.

Now Laura Secord is probably a common household name or holiday treat name that you’ve most likely heard but why? Laura Secord's Husband James Secord was a sergeant in the war of 1812 and was severely injured during the battle of Queenston heights. She had taken to healing and caring for him as in that time women did not fight in the war, they were nurses or stayed home and watched the kids. One day in 1813, Secord overheard American attack plans on a British beaver dam. Secord knew she needed to step up and help her country so she walked 32km (20 miles) across streets, countrysides, and marsh to get to Lieutenant FitzGibbon whom Secord knew could help. The British ended up attacking the Americans at the beaver dam and winning, going down in History as the Battle of the beaver dams. And although they would have lost without Laura Secord coming to the rescue, she wasn’t credited in any battle records or papers. Fortunately, the townspeople knew about it and spread the word about Laura Secord’s great bravery. Fast forward to 1913, Frank O'Connor opened a small candy shop in toronto and named it after Laura Secord for her Bravery. Now Laura Secord has over 176 stores across the Nation!

So in the end, Laura Secord’s story of bravery, strength, perseverance and endurance is finally a win in the History books for women. She displayed so many amazing qualities and was unrecognized for it by men who would always try to take the spotlight. Laura Secord was a phenomenal woman and will definitely be remembered for her groundbreaking story and epic contribution to Canadian history.