Clara Barton--Founder of the American Red Cross

• Occupation: Nurse
• Born: December 25, 1821 in North Oxford, Massachusetts
• Died: April 12, 1912 in Glen Echo, Maryland
• Best known for: Founder of the American Red Cross

Clara was born Clarissa Harlowe Barton on Christmas Day in 1821 in Oxford, Massachusetts. 

She was the youngest of 5 children and grew up on a farm where she was no stranger to hard work. Her mother taught her to follow her dreams and that women could be anything they wanted.

When Clara was eleven years old, her brother David fell off the roof of a barn. He became very sick. Clara spent the next two years taking care of David. The doctors didn't hold out much hope for David, but, with Clara's help, he eventually got better. It was during this time that Clara discovered that she enjoyed taking care of others. 

Clara worked as a teacher and started a free public school that had over 600 students in attendance. She was also an activist for women's rights, even getting Abraham Lincoln on her side. 



The Civil War Begins 

Near the start of the Civil War a number of wounded soldiers arrived in Washington D.C. Clara and her sister Sally did what they could to help the men. Clara and her sister organized ways to get needed supplies to care for the wounds of the soldiers

Throughout the Civil War, Clara traveled from battle to battle, doing what she could to nurse the soldiers back to health often going right up to the frontlines. She became know as the "Angel of the Battlefield" by the soldiers. 

Medicine During the Civil War 
During the Civil War Doctors did not use sterilization techniques like we do today. Clara helped to change these practices.

The American Red Cross 

While traveling overseas Clara learned of an organization called the International Red Cross. This group helped wounded soldiers during war. They hung a flag with a red cross and a white background on the outside of their hospital tents in order to identify themselves. After working for the Red Cross in France, Clara wanted to bring the organization to America. 

Clara founded the American Red Cross on May 21, 1881. 

Fun Facts about Clara Barton

• Clara was giving a soldier a cup of water when he suddenly died. She then noticed a hole in her sleeve from a bullet that narrowly missed her and killed the soldier.
• After the Civil War, Clara worked to track down missing soldiers. The army had kept little record of lost soldiers.
• After leaving the Red Cross in her 80s, Clara traveled the country teaching people first-aid skills.
• There are numerous elementary schools and high schools throughout the country that are named after Clara Barton.
• She never married nor had children. She said she considered the soldiers to be her family.