Clara Barton

Barton lived in the 19th century. She was born December 15, 1821 in Oxford Massachusetts. She wanted to help everyone, so she created the Red Cross in 1881. She did this to be able to aid the injured soldiers in the war. Also, so that she would be able to treat people with illnesses or who were hurt.

Barton was part of an organization that sent supplies over to the soldiers fighting in the American Civil War. She was also very interested in nursing. She helped others when they needed it and this shows that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. The organization sent over daily necessities to soldiers fighting in the war. She sent these supplies over to solders which made it a little easier from them to live in those types of conditions. “I may be compelled to face danger, but never fear it, and while our soldiers can stand and fight, I can stand and feed and nurse them.”

Clara Barton created the American Red Cross. With the creation of this foundation, many people who are sick and injured will receive the help they need. It was founded on May 21, 1881 in Washington, D.C. She became the first president of the organization. After the May 1881 meeting in Washington, on August 22, 1881 the structure of the Red Cross was formed in village in Dansville, New York, the town where Barton kept a part-time residence. Without the Red Cross many people may not have survived without the proper care that the Red Cross gave. "To you -- the people of America -- this sacred trust is committed," she wrote, "in your hands the charge is laid." She also created an International Committee of the Red Cross to help people world wide.

Clara Barton did so many great things. She was a leader--the creator of the Red Cross. Without this so many people wouldn't have been able to get the care that they needed, and has become a huge organization helping millions in a variety of disasters today. She started a foundation that sent supplies over to soldiers fighting in the war--a practice we still continue today. Her interest in nursing that began with helping her brother helped so many people. She was a teacher, a nurse and a humanitarian.

If Clara Barton was here today, she would see how much better our health care is and how modernized it has become. A problem I would tell her about would be the H1N1 Flu. It is a world-wide epidemic that is affecting all ages. She would tell me that everyone should get the vaccine and whoever has it should stay out of contact of others. She would probably recommend everyone get rest, drink plenty of fluids and seek medical attention as needed but most importantly keep washing their hands and get the vaccine.