Clara Barton

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[[File:Clara_Barton_cross_monument_at_Antietam_battlefield.TIF|Clara Barton cross monument at Antietam battlefield.TIF

Clara Barton 2021 stamp of Armenia

Clara Barton 1904

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Clara Barton - etching by John Sartain

Clara Barton (December 25, 1821 – April 12, 1912) was a pioneering American nurse who founded the American Red Cross. She was a hospital nurse in the American Civil War, a teacher, and a patent clerk. Nursing education was not very formalized at that time, and Barton learned most of her nursing skills by on-the-job training. Through her life, Barton was dedicated to helping others, both on the battlefield and off, and her work laid the foundation for the modern Red Cross movement.

Early Life

Clara Barton was born Clarissa Harlowe Barton on December 25, 1821, in Oxford, Massachusetts, to Captain Stephen Barton and Sarah Stone Barton. From a young age, Barton was very caring and showed a keen interest in the well-being of others, a trait that would define her career and legacy. At the age of 11, she took a significant role in caring for her brother David after he was severely injured, which was her first major experience in nursing.

Career

Teaching

Before the Civil War, Barton pursued a career in teaching. She started teaching school at a time when most teachers were men and was among the first to open a free school in New Jersey. However, when the school expanded and a male principal was hired, Barton resigned due to the lack of recognition for her efforts.

Civil War Service

With the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, Barton dedicated herself to aiding soldiers on the front lines. Recognizing the inadequacy of supplies and medical care, she personally collected and distributed supplies and nursed wounded soldiers, often coming under fire herself. Her dedication earned her the nickname "Angel of the Battlefield."

American Red Cross

After the war, Barton worked for the Office of Missing Soldiers, helping to identify and locate men who had been killed or gone missing. Her travels took her to Europe, where she was introduced to the Red Cross movement. Inspired by its mission, Barton returned to the United States and lobbied for the establishment of an American Red Cross. She succeeded in founding the American Red Cross in 1881 and served as its first president. Under her leadership, the organization expanded its mission to include assistance during natural disasters, a role it continues to play today.

Legacy

Clara Barton's legacy is marked by her tireless commitment to humanitarian work. She broke gender barriers in a time when women were often sidelined from leadership roles, especially in medicine and business. Her work with the American Red Cross has left a lasting impact on how humanitarian aid is organized and delivered, not just in the United States but around the world.

Barton's dedication to helping soldiers and civilians alike, her role in the founding and shaping of the American Red Cross, and her pioneering work in nursing and public health, have made her an enduring figure in American history.

Death and Honors

Clara Barton died on April 12, 1912, at her home in Glen Echo, Maryland, at the age of 90. Her life and work have been honored in numerous ways, including induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame. The Clara Barton National Historic Site in Glen Echo, Maryland, preserves her legacy and home for future generations to learn about her life and contributions.