Clara Barton

"Others are writing my biography, and let it rest as they elect to make it. I have lived my life, well and ill, always less well than I wanted it to be but it is, as it is, and as it has been; so small a thing, to have had so much about it!" (Clara Barton Quotes) She overcome many illnesses and obstacles and was still able to accomplish many goals in her life. Always knowing what she wanted to achieve in her life and never let obstacles get in her way. Clara has put a blessing over many people in her life, from when she was born, to when she died. Her action in assisting with many wars and helping support her family inspired many people. Dolly, Clara's older sister who acted like a mother figure, but had a mental breakdown when Clara was six. Clara had nurtured her sister, just like she did for her, in her time of need after her mental breakdown. When Clara was eleven, she stayed home from school for two years to take care of David, her older brother. Davis was in a car crash and was severely injured; with Clara's caring persona she stayed by her brothers side. Stephan, Clara's older brother, was a leader in the Army and inspired Clara to become a leader like her brother. ("National Red Cross Week.")She looked up to her older brother and always kept him in the back of her mind. These are only a few of the many people who inspired Clara Barton in her life. Showing her leadership, Clara Barton also helped out with the soldiers during World War 1. She has earned a well-earned place in American history-as the angel of Civil War battlefields and founder of the American Red Cross. Clara Barton earns her historic Heroism for her outstanding attitude and actions that made her a hero. In the early 1880's she formed her only formal Civil War connection with any organization when she served as superintendent of nurses in Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butlers command.  She began her lifetime of helping others at the beginning of the Civil War.  Clara Barton was a nurse in many fields including Civil War and World War 1. During the American Civil War she organized the distribution of medicine and supplies for soldiers wounded in the first Battle of Bull Run. She started the American Red Cross in 1881 and was greatly noticed after that. A hero must possess bravery and courage. Bravery is rare and not found in many people, but with Clara Barton having the brave heart. Her mind set was focused in on helping those in need and putting others before herself. Clara Barton possesses compassion and bravery making her my deserving hero. Through Clara Barton's accommodations in the American War and constructing a tremendous organization known as the American Red Cross, she sets herself apart from many people with her compassion and bravery persona.

Clara Barton had many great aspects, one being bravery. Many women like Clara Barton would not take up this opportunity to be in the battle field, at this, time, but because of her bravery, she pushed through. Her brave soul went to nurse the soldiers out on the battlefield in the middle of the war. "The door that nobody else will go in at, seems always to swing open widely for me." (Clara Barton.") What she was saying was that she sees an opportunity that other people or women would not see as a blessing like she did. She took the opportunity and knew she would be good and prepared for it.  Aware that she might be injured she knew it was for the good of the people. Wanting to help people at the same she took the chance and continued to nurse soldiers and civilians. As a girl , Clara was turned down to be in the war, so to become as close as she could to the war, she became a nurse for the soldiers."This conflict is one thing I've been waiting for. I'm well and strong and young - young enough to go to the front. If I can't be a soldier, I'll help soldiers."("Clara Barton)  Women like Clara could not be a soldier or woman weren't allowed so she became a nurse, showing her compassionate side towards the soldiers. She wants to put her works and knowledge to the test and she knew that she couldn't be a soldier so she began her life as a nurse. 

Founder of Red Cross

Throughout her nursing life, bravery played a huge role in her part. Knowing things may not go as she planned; she still took a shot at it and made it work by helping others.. This is why bravery is the first criteria that Clara Barton shows.  In her life, she shows the compassion towards the soldiers and towards Americans by working with the soldiers and nursing them to health.  Ever since Clara Barton was little, she knew what she was good at, nursing. She was very motherly and helped her younger brother back to health.  "I may sometimes be willing to teach for nothing, but if paid at all, I shall never do a man's work for less than a man's pay." (Barton, Clara.) She sees herself as one of the men and even if she isn't, she would like to get paid as if she was a male. She was paid unequal and deserves the correct amount of money as though she was the opposite gender.  She knows that women do not get paid equally, but she was demanding the respect and equality she needs and deserves. Having compassion towards the soldiers in the battle field fighting for their lives, she much appreciated them. She wants to give back to them anyway possible. "While soldiers can stand and fight.  I can fight and feed them" (Civil War Trust.)

She was saying how the soldiers are doing their duty for fighting; she is doing hers by feeding them. She wants to do more with herself to show the people what she can really do, but she knows she was meant to nurse the soldiers. Knowing this since she was little and nursing her brother back to health when he was in a serious crash.

Clara Barton was a very compassionate person and loved everything about her job; she wanted to give back to the soldiers out on the battlefield so she became a nurse. Trying to make a big impact on the soldier's lives, saving generations to come. ("Clara Barton: Professional Angel.") She is set apart from many other people and women around the world. Being the one to start an organization called American Red Cross in American helping the soldiers and the emphasis she put on helping others,. Her one of a kind brave soul that pushes herself to go out to the battle field at such a rough time to help others. Her compassion to stay out there and organize a Red Cross in America was brilliant. Clara Barton inspires me because of her enthusiasm towards the soldiers and the people of America.  She volunteered her time and effort to help the wounded soldiers of the Army. She never complained about her job, knowing she was helping people and many generations to come. Her ability to think above and beyond the standard was marvelous and her voice spoke out to many. Clara Barton's compassionate and brave qualities were a major contributor to her many triumphs, without her astonishing will to hurdle through what seemed like hell, she was able to fill the silent cries of millions.