Clara Barton was born on December 25, 1821, in North Oxford, Massachusetts, USA. Barton, the youngest of five children, showed an early interest in nursing and caring for others. She became a schoolteacher at the age of 17 and later established a free public school in Bordentown, New Jersey. At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Barton resigned from her government position and dedicated herself to providing aid to soldiers.
During her service in the war, Barton earned the nickname “Angel of the Battlefield” for her selfless and compassionate care for wounded soldiers. She earned a reputation for her fearless and tireless work on the front lines, delivering supplies, caring for wounded soldiers, and organizing relief efforts. She often ventured close to the front lines to distribute supplies and offer medical assistance. After the war, Barton established the Missing Soldiers Office in Washington, D.C., where she worked to identify and locate missing soldiers and provide support to their families.
Inspired by the International Red Cross network she encountered while in Europe, Barton played a crucial role in establishing the American Red Cross in 1881. She was one of the first female clerks employed by the federal government, working in the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, D.C. She served as the organization’s first president, leading disaster relief efforts and advocating for the importance of the Red Cross in times of crisis. She resigned as president of the American Red Cross in 1904 but continued to be involved in various social and reform movements until her death.
Barton remained active in humanitarian work throughout her life, participating in disaster relief efforts such as the Johnstown Flood and the Galveston hurricane. Clara Barton’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the establishment and growth of the American Red Cross, an organization dedicated to humanitarian aid and disaster relief. Clara Barton passed away on April 12, 1912, at the age of 90. Her life and work continue to inspire and are celebrated as a testament to the power of compassion and service to humanity.
