Clara Barton: Founder of the American Red Cross - Essay Example

Clara Barton: Founder of the American Red Cross Clara Barton lived 93 years on this planet from 1821 to 1912. Her profession was being a nurse. She is the founder of the Red Cross. Prior to creating the red cross Clara participated in the civil war by caring for the wounded soldiers. Her outstanding work with soldier got her the nickname of the angel in the battlefield. She eventually appointed superintend of the nurses in 1861. In 1869 Clara travel to Switzerland to serve in the franco-prussian war.

She returned to the United States in 1873. After returning to the US it took seven years to get the Red Cross started. The first Red Cross branch was created in 1881. Mrs. Barton served as president of the Red Cross form 1882 to 1904. The Red Cross constitution stipulates that one the missions of the Red Cross is helping civilians. The Red Cross was able to help the masses during the Florida fever epidemic in 1877 and during the Johnston flood of 1889. Clara Barton legacy in the Red Cross was helping to establish a tradition of assisting victims of disaster which continues within the organization as of today.

Clara Barton earned the nickname the angel in the battlefield for a good reason. Her nursing work was outstanding, but she also went out of her way to assist the family of soldiers by providing information she gathered about missing soldiers and consoling them when the warriors fell in the battle. Her education allowed her to find alternative solutions to help those in need. “She would publish the names submitted by those in search of kin in hopes of soliciting news about them” (Faust, 2008).

Barton was an extremely hard worker whose perseverance and sacrifice are truly inspirational. Between 1865 and 1868 Clara published the names of 20,000 missing soldiers, answered 68,162 letters, and secured information about 22,000 soldiers (Faust, 2008).Clara accomplished great things in an era in which women did not have equal rights. “Barton’s struggle as a woman to work on equal terms and make a difference is juxtaposed against the bigger picture of her work, first providing nursing care for wounded soldiers and then bringing the International Red Cross to the US” (Hazel, 2007).

Clara’s accomplishment of creating the Red Cross in the US is something that has impacted the lives of American people for hundreds of years and will continue to positively impact the lives of our future generations. The humanitarian contributions Clara Barton contributed to American society in the 19th century can be compared to the humanitarian contributions Martin Luther King provided in the civil rights movement in the 20th century. Clara Barton was a humanitarian which who’s action inspired many and provided assistance to thousands of humans in need.

The lifetime work of Clara extends beyond her great accomplishments with the Red Cross and her incredible contributions as a battlefield nurse. Clara Barton also worked as a teacher and lecturer (Lucidcafe, 2008). Clara Barton’s contributions to society are deserving of respect and honor from American of all ages. The state of Chicago ensured that Mrs. Barton received the recognition she deserves by giving her name to a school. In Chicago there is school called Clara Barton Elementary School (Chicago Students Visit the Farm, 2008).

The actions of extraordinary people such as Clara Barton are the type of action that should serve as role models for our future generations. ReferencesChicago Students Visit the Farm (2008). National Hog Farmers, 53(11). Retrieved March 4, 2009 from EBSCOhost database.Faust, G. (2008). Harvesting the Dead. Civil War Times, 47(21), 36. Retrieved March 5, 2009 from EBSCOhost database. Hazel, R. (2007). Clara Barton: Founder of the American Red Cross. Booklist, 103(19)/ Retrieved March 5, 2009 from EBSCOhost database.

Lucidcafe.com (2008). Clara Barton. Retrieved March 4, 2009 from http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/95dec/barton.html