Biography
Introduction
There are so many medical professions that have had a positive impact on the care system today. When we consider what nursing was like over 50 years ago, we realise just how much time has changed. These people still inspire people today all over the world. One of these extraordinary people was a nurse called Clarissa Harlowe Barton, known as Clara.
Clarissa Harlowe Barton
Clara Barton was an independent nurse for the US patent office during the Civil War. During that time, she visited Europe and worked within an organization called the International Red Cross. She was the first president when the Red Cross was founded in 1881. (biography 2017).
She began her life in Oxford, Massachusetts and was born December 25, 1821 on Christmas day. She was described as a shy child. She found her passion to help people when she looked after her brother after he had a serious accident. She had a desire to help people in need when she was a teenager. At the age of 15 she became a teacher and opened her own school that was free to the public. (biography 2017).
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During the Civil War she joined the Washington Infirmary, where she supported the troops by working in the battle field. Throughout many battles she nursed and comforted the wounded. (Red Cross 2017).
Clara earned the nickname “Angel of the battlefield”. Clara travelled to the union controlled regions in 1863 helping soldiers. Even more so, she travelled to Morris Island to attend to many seriously ill and injured soldiers. (Civil War 2017). She would address the sick men, women and children. She would hand out supplies, fresh fruit and food, first aid