CLARA BARTON MADISON CASEY EARLY LIFE Born Clarissa

CLARA BARTON MADISON CASEY

EARLY LIFE • Born Clarissa Harlowe Barton but preferred Clara • December 25, 1821 in Massachusetts • Spent most of her life helping others • Found her calling to help others after she helped take care of her brother after a serious accident • So she became a teacher at the age of 15 • Later opened a public school in New Jersey

THE CIVIL WAR • Clara Barton moved to Washington D. C. to be a clerk at the U. S Patent Office • One of the first women to be employed by the federal government • In 1861 while working in D. C. the first units of federal troops came into the city • She immediately jumped into action to assist the troops • She started by taking supplies to the Sixth Massachusetts Infantry that were attacked in Baltimore, Maryland • While helping the troops she realized that she grew up with most of them • Provided clothing, food, and supplies to the sick and wounded

THE CIVIL WAR CONT. • She collected items herself and stored and distributed them • Offered support, read, and wrote letters to the troops • She eventually realized that her work was needed more on the battlefield, not behind the lines • After a lot of persuasion and prodding she was given a pass by the army to bring her services to the battlefield and field hospitals

“ANGEL OF THE BATTLEFIELD” • Barton did not want to sit on the sidelines so she served as an independent nurse • She first saw combat in Fredericksburg, Virginia • She was deemed the “Angel of the Battlefield” for all of her efforts in the war • When the war ended in 1865 she worked for the war department to help reunite missing soldiers and their families

INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS • A few years after the Civil War Clara vacationed in Europe • While there she came in contact with the International Red Cross • Franco-Prussian War started in 1870 • Clara went to the battlefield with the other volunteers of the International Red Cross to help care for the sick and wounded

AMERICAN RED CROSS • Red Cross officials recognized Barton’s leadership abilities and for including the United States in the Red Cross Network • The American Red Cross was founded on May, 21, 1881 • She directed it for 23 years • During those 23 years Barton conducted the United States’ first domestic and overseas disaster relief efforts • The red cross aided the American troops during the Spanish – American War

WORKS CITED • http: //www. biography. com/people/clara-barton-9200960#angel-of-the-battlefield • http: //www. redcross. org/about-us/history/clara-barton • http: //www. redcross. org/about-us/who-we-are/history