Clara Barton Tells Her Story of Serving as a Nurse and then Starting the American Red Cross

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My name is Clara Barton, and if you’ve ever heard of the American Red Cross, you already know part of my legacy. I spent my life as a nurse, a teacher, and a humanitarian, always working to help people in times of crisis. Some called me the “Angel of the Battlefield” because I risked my life to care for wounded soldiers during the Civil War. Let me tell you my story.

I was born on December 25, 1821, in North Oxford, Massachusetts. I was the youngest of five children, and my family taught me the importance of hard work and education. When I was still a young girl, my older brother David was seriously injured in an accident. I helped care for him for two years, learning firsthand what it meant to be a nurse. That experience shaped my future.

As I grew older, I became a teacher and later worked in the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, D.C. That may not sound unusual now, but at the time, women weren’t often hired for government jobs. I faced a lot of discrimination, but I refused to back down. Little did I know, though, that my biggest challenges were still ahead.

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, I knew I couldn’t just stand by while men suffered and died. I began collecting medical supplies, food, and clothing and took them directly to the battlefields. Most nurses worked in hospitals far from the fighting, but I wanted to be where I was needed most—on the front lines. I traveled to some of the bloodiest battles, including Antietam and Fredericksburg, tending to wounded soldiers, comforting the dying, and doing everything I could to save lives.

After the war, I didn’t stop helping people. I ran the Office of Missing Soldiers, helping families find out what happened to their loved ones who had gone missing in battle. I personally answered thousands of letters and helped identify more than 22,000 missing soldiers.

Then, in the 1870s, I traveled to Europe, where I learned about the International Red Cross. I was so inspired by their work that when I returned home, I fought to create the American Red Cross, which was officially founded in 1881. Under my leadership, the Red Cross provided disaster relief, helped victims of war, and supported communities in need. Whether it was floods, hurricanes, or wildfires, we were there.

I spent my later years continuing my humanitarian work and speaking out for the rights of women and the importance of emergency preparedness. I finally retired in my 80s, but my mission never stopped. I passed away on April 12, 1912, at the age of 90, knowing that I had helped change the world.

If there’s one lesson I want you to take from my story, it’s this: one person can make a difference. You don’t have to be a soldier to be brave, and you don’t have to be famous to help people. Compassion, courage, and determination can save lives. That’s what I dedicated my life to—and I hope my story inspires you to do the same. Thank you for listening.

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