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Biography: Life of Clara Barton
Born 1821, Died 1912
Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, was born on December 25, 1821 in Oxford, Massachusetts. Her first experience with nursing was at the age of eleven when she nursed her invalid brother through an illness.
Clara Barton became a teacher and founded a free school in Bordentown, New Jersey. She taught school for eighteen years, but left the profession when a promotion was given to a man instead of her.
In 1854 Clara Barton moved to Washington, D.C. and began working as a clerk in the United States Patent Office. Soon after the Civil War began she learned that the troops on the battlefields were suffering from a lack of medical supplies. In response to the need, Clara Barton solicited donations and formed an organization to distribute the goods. After initial opposition, she was granted permission to travel with supplies to the battlefield. Later she served as a nurse to the troops. In 1864 she was appointed a superintendent of nurses. After the war, Clara Barton headed the search for missing soldiers.
In 1869 Clara Baron went to Europe for health reasons. While in Europe she learned about the Red Cross as set out in the Treaty of Geneva and observed Red Cross volunteers in the Franco-Prussian War.
Clara Barton returned home determined to establish the Red Cross in the United States. She worked to have the United States join the Treaty of Geneva. They ultimately signed the Agreement in 1882. For twenty-two years Clara Barton was President of the American Red Cross, adapting the organization to meet the needs of the country during wartime and during national disasters.
Clara Barton retired to Glen Echo, Maryland where she died on April 12, 1912.
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