How Did Clara Barton Impact The World

Women have had to fight their way into positions of power, and few have had the struggle and success of Clara Barton, “The Angel of the Battlefield”. She greatly impacted both America and Europe, and then went on to create life saving organizations still important to this day. After making a massive impact on the battlefields of the Civil War, Clara Barton changed the world by founding the American Red Cross even while struggling with deep personal issues and adversity towards women. Clara Barton was born Christmas day 1821 in North Oxford, a small town near Worcester, Massachusetts. She had high marks at local schools and was tutored by her older siblings. When she was ten years old, her older brother fell from their barn roof and Clara was

Her experience in nursing proved helpful in dealing with rowdy boys getting scrapes and bruises. Clara eventually founded her own school for her brother’s children, but after being voted off headmaster into a lower position she had a nervous breakdown and left. Deciding to move to D.C., she became the first woman to have a substantial clerkship in the federal government and to receive a salary equal to that of a man's. This was a major landmark for women’s rights, but unfortunately due to political opposition she was forced down to a copyist. Being prideful she left, but returned after Lincoln’s election into

She travelled around the US and became recognized after delivering speeches and lectures. While travelling she met Susan B. Anthony of the women’s suffrage movement. When Clara’s health began to decline, her doctor prescribed a vacation to the hard working woman. While on a Switzerland vacation she discovered the Swiss Red Cross. 1880 the Franco-Prussian war begins and Clara volunteers to help the Red Cross with preparations. During the war she greatly assisted the Red Cross. Germans directed her to supply work to the poor of Strasbourg. After the war she was awarded with the Golden Cross of Baden and the Prussian Iron Cross. Upon returning stateside she brought attention to the International Committee of the Red Cross. She met with President Hayes who believed there would never be another bloody conflict like the Civil War again. President Arthur was a success and included natural disasters to the list of things the American Red Cross would handle. The first meeting was held on May 21, 1881. They aided the Spanish-American war and then went on to handle many large scale natural disasters. They helped with floods in Ohio, the Yellow epidemic in Texas, and more disasters. Their first international headquarters were in