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Newsroom Chapter Blog
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Mar
8
3/8/2009 9:00 AM
 Are you a woman or do you know one? Do you have an interest in the Red Cross? Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a part of history? Well, even if you only answered yes to one of these questions, this post is for you. (Oh, and if you are a woman, happy International Women’s Day.)
Over the past few days, I’ve come to a conclusion: Clara Barton was an amazing woman. I delved into Clara’s life because I was recently asked to write about women in Red Cross history to celebrate both Red Cross and Women’s History month. Sounds simple enough, but the more I read, the more I wondered how to keep the entry short and do Clara justice. So, here goes my take—but feel free to leave your thoughts too:
Clara always had her sights set on helping others. At the age of 17, she began teaching at a time when teachers were mostly men. At the age of 40, she fearlessly drove much needed medical supplies to servicemen on the battlefield, earning her the nickname “Angel of the Battlefield”. A few years later, she offered to find missing prisoners of war – she received over 63,000 inquiries and helped 22,000 mothers and fathers identify their missing sons.
 In 1869, Clara traveled to Europe where friends told her about the Red Cross. Inspired by Henry Dunant’s life and convictions, Clara decided to stay in Europe when the Franco-Prussian War began. And when Clara returned to America in 1881, she formed the American Association of the Red Cross as a District of Columbia corporation. Clara’s vision helped shape the Red Cross to the organization it is today. Her legacy of helping people whenever they needed it most is now in your hands. Your donation of time, money and blood enables the Red Cross to help millions of people each year. Thank you for helping to carry on Clara Barton’s vision.
Want to learn more about Clara? Lucky for you, there are lots of websites out there with all kinds of information. Read what the American Red Cross Museum says about its founder. Watch a video about Clara. Take a virtual tour of Clara Barton’s home. So take a moment today and find out more about how the Red Cross began!
Kimberly Pratt is the marketing and communication specialist for the St. Louis Area Chapter.
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