International Women’s Day with Clara Barton

By Hailie Duenkel, Volunteer

March 8th marks International Women’s Day, meaning we get another reason to celebrate our leading lady, Clara Barton.

Story & Content - By Joseph Collins, Infinite Fire

Born Clarissa Harlowe Barton in 1821, Clara began developing her love of philanthropic endeavors early on. At 24 years old, she founded a school for children of workers at her brother’s mill, and soon after, established the first free school for all in the United States.

Story & Content - By Joseph Collins, Infinite Fire

When the Civil War begun, Clara made it her mission to bring supplies to Union soldiers where they needed it most. This meant she was often on the front lines at major battles in South Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia. Because of her courageous and selfless spirit, she soon acquired the nickname “Angel of the Battlefield”. She promptly made head nurse, and went on to aid in humanitarian efforts like transitioning slaves on their road to freedom, and locating missing soldiers.

In 1869, Clara traveled to Switzerland and stumbled upon the International Committee of the Red Cross – a program designed to ensure protection and support for victims during war times and disaster areas. Clara made it her goal to bring this program back to the states.

The American Red Cross was established in 1881, where Clara served as president attending international meetings, helping the poor, and aiding in wars and national disasters. In 1904, she created the National First Aid Association of America – an organization that established first aid kits and spearheaded emergency preparedness. Clara served as president until she resigned in 1904 at the age of 83.

Clara Barton’s legacy as a pioneer for philanthropic efforts in the United States and being a trailblazing activist for women’s rights makes her an idea role model for International Women’s Day. She broke down barriers for women of the time, and led by example to create new standards of volunteer service.

Why We Celebrate International Women’s Day

By Tanesha Hayes, Volunteer

When we celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re also cheering for women of the future! In the past, hundreds of women created their own path to achieve the unthinkable and break barriers imposed by naysayers. It’s because of those brave women that today’s women continue to set their own limits. The sacrifices made by women in the past allow us to accomplish anything we’re passionate about - like running for office in the 2019 presidential election!

Throughout history, we have learned about hard-working and remarkable women who have created legacies that impact the world to this very day. Clarissa Harlowe Barton, better known as Clara Barton, is one of those women!

Why are we celebrating Clara Barton for International Women’s Day?
I’m glad you asked! Clara devoted the entirety of her life to finding ways to help others. She nursed her sick brother back to health at age 11 and there, she found her passion. This led to her becoming a compassionate nurse and school teacher who always cared for others. Before she founded the Red Cross in 1881, Clara was known as “The Angel of the Battlefield”. That is because she risked her life many times to save wounded soldiers throughout the Civil War. She brought relief and hope to the battlefield. She founded the Red Cross soon after the war ended. Today, the Red Cross provides national and international disaster relief and mitigation worldwide.

How does Clara Barton affect women today?
That’s another great question! When Clara founded the Red Cross, I can almost be certain she had hope that the organization would become something bigger than herself. Today, the Red Cross not only provides worldwide disaster relief but it gives many women the opportunity to give back to their communities through doing what they love! For instance, I’m writing this post, aren’t I?

Many women give back to the world through the Red Cross using their passion of nursing, teaching, fundraising, childcare, engineering, disaster response and many other skills - there’s something for everyone here! Clara’s legacy of selflessness and devotion continues to live through the Red Cross. This is why we’re celebrating Clara Barton for International Women’s Day!

To learn more about how you can help support the Red Cross as a volunteer, visit redcross.org/volunteer!

Sources:

https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/enterprise-assets/about-us/history/history-clara-barton-v3.pdf
https://nyamcenterforhistory.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/groupofredcrosssisters.jpg
http://www.highplainschautauqua.org/Data/Sites/1/clara-barton-photo.jpg

Clara Barton: Our Real-Life Superhero

Written by: Michelle Karch

1861-1865 Civil War. Clara Barton was there. Risking her life in the battlefields, she provided food, medical and clothing supplies, and emotional support to soldiers both in the field and in temporary facilities. She helped locate 13,000 graves and create a national cemetery for the prison war’s dead in Andersonville, GA.

1882 & 1883 Mississippi River Floods. Clara Barton was there. From aboard the ship Mattie Belle, she directed relief efforts.

1888 Yellow Fever Epidemic, Jacksonville, FL. Clara Barton was there too. She coordinated relief efforts with the Howard Association.

1892 Famine, Russia. Clara Barton organized the first international assistance by sending flour and cornmeal to Russia that fed over 7,000 people.


Vanguard. Maverick. Pioneer. Superhero.

Clara Barton worked across America and Europe. She soared beyond her own and others’ limitations; boundlessly courageous, she did what could be seen as impossible. These events represent just a small sampling of Clara’s seemingly omnipresent and heroic assistance in the name of service to American military members and relief during and following natural disasters.

“No” was not in her vocabulary. Clara pursued three US Presidents before she was able to establish authorization for an American Red Cross. When one US President, Rutherford B. Hayes uttered no, she doggedly pursued his successor, President James Garfield. Unfortunately, Garfield was assassinated before support could be authorized. Undeterred and relentless, Clara again sought support from a third President, Chester Arthur. This time Clara received her yes. She struggled with exhaustion and depression, even losing her eyesight temporarily. Yet her unflinching devotion to helping others is what kept her going and led her to bring the Red Cross from Europe to establish the American Red Cross.

Be inspired. Be Determined. Be Courageous. Do what others deem impossible and celebrate Clara Barton. Explore your inner superhero through the American Red Cross. Volunteer. Donate. Support. Continue to inspire.

Learn more about Clara’s heroic, lifelong efforts at: http://www.redcross.org/about-us/who-we-are/history/clara-barton 

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Jeanne Howlett

Jeanne Howlett

Service to the Armed Forces Volunteer

I volunteer for the Service to the Armed Forces of the American Red Cross because I feel like that area has the biggest impact. It is also where the Red Cross started. Clara Barton was in the field – so powerful and strong, a pusher to help people – and I’m following in her footsteps.

My first volunteer experience was when I was 14. I grew up in a family where we were expected to volunteer. I started as a Candy Striper in Des Moines, Iowa and instantly fell in love with that type of work.

No matter your skill set, there is something for you as a Red Cross volunteer. When my husband joined the Armed Forces and was stationed at Fort Belvoir, I began volunteering there. Doing volunteer work helped me grow. I took classes, got motivated and in turn bettered myself while becoming a better volunteer.

I have done a number of different things as a volunteer, but one of the most impactful is working at Yellow Ribbon Events, where we help members of the Armed Forces and their families connect with local resources before, during and after deployments.

No matter your age, you can gain so much as a Red Cross volunteer. It is important to get back what you give. And if you have time, you should see it as a moral obligation. Volunteering not only benefits you and makes you feel good, but it benefits others.

So why should you volunteer with the Red Cross? Why not?

Want to share your story? Add it in the comments below!
Want to volunteer? Visit http://www.redcross.org/local/dc/washington/volunteer.