Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, was born on Christmas Day in 1821 and spent her early career as a teacher before transitioning to a job at the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, D.C. During the American Civil War, Barton became a battlefield nurse even though she had no formal medical training, earning her the nickname “Angel of the Battlefield.” After the war, she continued her humanitarian work by founding the Office of Missing Soldiers, reconnecting over 20,000 soldiers with their families. Barton was inspired by the Red Cross movement in Europe and, upon returning to the U.S., began a campaign to establish an American chapter of the organization. In 1881, the American Red Cross was founded with Barton as its first president.
The American Red Cross was officially established on May 21, 1881, with Clara Barton at its helm as the first president. Barton’s efforts to create an American organization of the Red Cross included writing pamphlets, giving lectures, and meeting with President Rutherford B. Hayes to garner support for the cause. The United States ratified the Geneva Convention of 1864, which was one of the long-term goals of the American Red Cross, ensuring aid to the wounded regardless of their nationality, neutrality of medical workers and hospitals, and the presence of a standard emblem at medical facilities. Barton served as the president of the American Red Cross until her retirement in 1904, overseeing its growth and impact.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which consists of 190 National Societies, the ICRC, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, has roots dating back to the mid-19th century. Clara Barton played a crucial role in establishing the American Red Cross and implementing the standard emblem of a red cross on a white background to identify medical personnel on the battlefield. The movement later adopted the red crescent as a symbol in predominantly Muslim countries like the Ottoman Empire. Barton’s dedication to humanitarian efforts and her founding role in the American Red Cross paved the way for the organization’s global impact and reach today.
Despite her significant contributions to the humanitarian field, Clara Barton remained unmarried and childless throughout her life. She focused her attention on her nieces and nephews, whom she cared for deeply. Barton also had a love for animals, particularly horses, and enjoyed riding throughout her life. She passed away at the age of 91 in Glen Echo, Maryland, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, service, and advocacy for those in need. The American Red Cross continues to uphold Barton’s mission of providing aid to individuals affected by disasters, conflicts, and emergencies, both domestically and internationally, carrying on her vision of humanity and compassion.
