Final answer:
Mary Ludwig Hays, or Molly Pitcher, and Betsy Ross were both iconic women in American history, but they are remembered for different reasons: Hays for her battlefield bravery and Ross for her reputed creation of the first American flag.
Step-by-step explanation:
A statement that correctly contrasts Mary Ludwig Hays ("Molly Pitcher") and Betsy Ross is that Mary Ludwig Hays was known for her heroic actions during the Revolutionary War's Battle of Monmouth, where she carried water to soldiers and even manned a cannon, whereas Betsy Ross is famously associated with sewing the first American flag.
Mary Ludwig Hays, often referred to as Molly Pitcher, became a symbol of women's contribution to the war effort and is celebrated for taking an active role on the battlefield. On the other hand, Betsy Ross is believed to have contributed by utilizing her skills as a seamstress to create the iconic symbol of the American republic, the Star-Spangled Banner, although her role in the creation of the flag has been subject to some historical debate.
Despite both women being icons of American history, they differed in their paths to recognition: one through an act of valor on the battlefield and the other through an act of craftsmanship that has endured as a national emblem.