Oneida Woman Polly Cooper Walked 200 Miles to Save Washington's Starving Army

Polly Cooper, a Native American woman from the Oneida Nation, trekked over 200 miles through snow to deliver food to the struggling Continental Army during a brutal winter. She brought corn supplies and personally taught soldiers how to prepare and cook it, helping prevent mass starvation in the camp. Despite the scale of her contribution, Cooper declined any monetary compensation for her efforts. As a gesture of gratitude, she was given only a shawl and bonnet by the soldiers. Her story survived largely through oral tradition before being formally recognized and documented by historians.