Cathay Williams

Cathay Williams was the only documented woman to serve as a Buffalo Soldier in the United States Army. Born into slavery, she disguised herself as a man under the name William Cathay and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1866. Williams served for nearly two years with the 38th Infantry Regiment, enduring harsh conditions, illness, and discrimination before her true identity was discovered. Her courage and determination challenged the boundaries placed on both women and Black Americans during the post–Civil War era. Her story is a powerful reminder of resilience, sacrifice, and the hidden figures of American history.