Clara Barton

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"If I can stop one heart from breaking, / I shall not live in vain: / If I can ease one life the aching, / Or cool one pain, / or help one fainting robin / Unto his nest again, / I shall not live in vain" -Emily Dickinson.

Clarissa Harlowe Barton, or Clara Barton, certainly did not live her life in vain. During her lifetime, she helped save many lives, and is best known for her efforts during the American Civil War and as an active member of the American Red Cross, making her a symbol of humanitarianism. Born on Christmas Day, 1821, in Oxford, Massachusetts. Barton was the youngest child of Stephen and Sarah Barton. Her father had served in war before during the American Revolution, and his tales made war familiar to her at a young age. When she was only fifteen, Barton began teaching at a school, and offered to work for no salary if her students' school fees were waived. Later, she took pride in establishing the first free school in New Jersey. When male teachers no longer allowed her to teach because she was female, she took a job as copyist in the Patent Office in Washington, D.C., and became the first woman in America to hold such a government post. She continued this work till April 1861, when the Civil War began, and she was determined to serve the Federal troops. During the war, Barton worked in the midst of the battle, and helped treat wounded soldiers and pass out provisions. After the Civil War, she started a project to locate missing soldiers. Many years later, Barton established the American Red Cross, which is still present to this day (Barton, Clara). Barton's accomplishments truly made her extraordinary; however, it was her actions and character that made her a hero to many people. She displayed courage when she was out on the battlefield, working dangerously close to the most chaotic areas of the war. When soldiers were injured, Barton did everything she could to take care of them, demonstrating her selflessness. After the war, she had determination to establish the American Red Cross, even when it seemed impossible. Clara Barton, a diligent humanitarian, devoted her life to uplifting and serving others, possessing unwavering courage on the battlefield, profuse selflessness with wounded patients, and ambitious determination to start the American Red Cross.

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Clara Barton demonstrated unfathomable courage when she volunteered to go out on the battlefield and rescue wounded soldiers without giving it a second thought. During the American Civil War, Barton begged for permission to be out on the battlefield, frequently rescuing wounded soldiers trapped in the most deadliest areas of the war: "Barton risked her life to bring supplies and support to soldiers in the field. While the battle raged, she and her associates dashed about bringing relief and hope to the field" (Founder Clara Barton). Barton was courageous enough to put herself out on the battlefield to save others. She did this voluntarily, wanting to sincerely aid the wounded soldiers. Even though she knew that she could have gotten killed, she still went and helped anyways, determined to save lives. When others asked Barton why she did it, she replied: "I always tried.to succor the wounded until medical aid and supplies could come up-I could run the risk; it made no difference to anyone if I were shot or taken prisoner" (Founder Clara Barton). Barton knew of the severe consequences that could take place if something went wrong. Despite this, she courageously worked on the field, and helping the wounded was the only thing she had in mind. She didn't care about what would happen to herself, but knew that no matter what, she had to save the lives of the soldiers. If she had let fear hold her back, hundreds of soldiers would have perished. Barton's constant presence on the battlefield even when war was raging, exemplifies her unwavering courage and ultimately proves that she not only is brave, but willing to sacrifice too.

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Numerous times, Clara Barton selflessly put other's needs before her own, always willing to comfort or aid others even if it didn't benefit herself. Instead of putting her own health or well-being first, Barton comforted and cared for sick and injured soldiers. During the American Civil War: "Barton provided clothing and assorted foods and supplies to the sick and wounded soldiers. She collected some relief articles herself, appealed to the public for others, and learned how to store and distribute them. Besides supplies, Barton offered personal support to the men in hopes of keeping their spirits up: she read to them, wrote letters for them, listened to their personal problems, and prayed with them" (Founder Clara Barton). Barton was willing to dedicate her life to help soldiers in need. She truly cared about helping others, and selflessly gave her time and effort. Even when she could have been writing letters to her own family, Barton helped the other men write down their thoughts. Barton tried her best to do everything she could to help them feel better. Regardless of her condition, she put the needs of the soldiers before her own. By helping them small things, such as listening to them and praying with them, she greatly impacted their lives. Whenever there was trouble with the troops, Barton rushed to help: "Federal troops were arriving in Washington without baggage or food. She began to gather and distribute supplies to ease their distress. Because the military had badly underestimated medical needs, Barton's individual effort of gathering supplies and caring for the wounded at battles, such as Fredericksburg, proved immensely valuable" (van Hartesveldt). Clara Barton was selfless because when she heard that the troops were in trouble, she immediately worked hard to gather supplies to help them. She did this for them, not for herself. Barton singlehandedly helped many federal troops feel more comfortable. If Barton was not selfless, then many soldiers would have suffered and died due to the lack of resources the military had provided. Barton's willingness to sacrifice her time and effort for the benefit of others reflects her profuse selflessness, and eventually lead her to even greater accomplishments.

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Clara Barton was ambitiously determined to take her caring personality to the next level by starting the American Red Cross, even though obstacles blocked her path. When Barton traveled to Geneva, she learned about the Red Cross International, then returned to the United States. Only "armed with a letter from the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Barton took her appeal to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1877, but he looked on the treaty as a possible 'entangling alliance' and rejected it" (Founder Clara Barton). Barton was determined to do everything that she could to help others. When she found out about the Red Cross International and what they do, she immediately wanted the United States to be a part of it. After working desperately to get the articles of the Geneva Convention approved, President Hayes still disapproved. Despite these setbacks, Barton still worked towards her goal. Later, "[Hayes'] successor, President James A. Garfield, offered to support the initiative. Unfortunately, Garfield was assassinated before any action could be taken" (Clara (Clarissa Harlowe) Barton). When President Garfield finally agreed, Barton thought that she had accomplished her goal. But after he was assassinated, Barton had to start all over again. These hindrances may have intimidated other people, but Barton was determined to start the organization and continued towards her goal. It took her 5 long years, but finally in 1882, she got it approved by President Chester Arthur and ratified by the Senate (Founder Clara Barton). Even when difficulties brought her down, Barton picked herself up with determination, resulting in the foundation of the Red Cross, which has become of one of the largest organizations in the United States today.

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Throughout her life, Clara Barton's qualities of courage, selflessness, and determination led her to aiding others and saving lives. With her caring actions and kind persona, Clara Barton inspires people everywhere by teaching them to not be afraid, to overcome obstacles, and to persevere until the end. Barton inspires me to help others when they are in trouble. She has taught me the importance of being gentle towards others and thinking of them before yourself.  Her life and legacy have challenged me to think about ways to benefit the world, motivating me to be a better person. Barton inspires ordinary people to be devoted to doing what they love, even when faced with challenges. She truly is a hero to the global community, inspiring individuals to be kind and compassionate to one another. She demonstrated that little things truly make a big difference. Barton delivers a message to each person: make today better than yesterday. As Barton once said: "I have an almost complete disregard of precedent, and a faith in the possibility of something better. It irritates me to be told how things have always been done. I defy the tyranny of a precedent. I go for anything new that might improve the past" (Clara Barton Lives Here). All of her actions influence the world to work towards gradually making society a better place for everyone.If we choose to do something that benefits the world and people around us, there will be no doubt, that our lives have not been lived in vain.

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