Clara Barton- The Pioneering Nurse
Angel of the Battlefield & founder of the American Red Cross
Angel of the Battlefield
- Women often helped out during the Civil War by being battlefield nurses.
- The techniques and medicines used during this time were often what killed these men, not the war itself.
- Surgens and Nurses would go from one man to the next without washing their hands. Because of that, blood from one man would transfer to another, often causing diseases to spread, killing more and more men.
- Clara Barton realized the necessity in having better techniques. She began forcing people to wash there hands to get most if not all of the blood off before moving on to the next soldier.
- She then started to separate the men by how bad their injuries were, this way the men that needed treatment right then to live would get it and not wait. This is a technique still used today in war.
Clarissa "Clara" Harlowe Barton
Daughter of Stephan and Sarah Barton, Clarissa was born December 25, 1821 in Oxford Massachusetts. At the age of ninety-one, she died (April 12, 1912).
A Change in Medicine
After visiting Europe during the Franco-Prussian War and working with the "International Red Cross", Barton saw a great need to start something here in America. The American Cross Association was founded in 1881, with Barton as the first President.
Angel of the Battlefield
Barton was given the nick-name "Angel of the Battlefield" after all of her help with the soldiers during the war. First supplying the medics with more supplies, to changing the techniques allowing more people to live, there is no doubt that her bravery and dedication kept more men alive and fighting.
American Red Cross Association
- During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, Barton visited Europe and worked with the International Red Cross. After seeing all that they did, she decided that is was a necessity to our country.
- Upon her coming home, Barton began to start our own "Red Cross".
- In 1881, the American Red Cross was founded, and fittingly, Barton was named the first President.
- Still today, this Association holds to the high standards of helping victims nationwide during and after a disaster.
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina was the largest single disaster relief ever undertaken by the American Red Cross. They provided shelter, food, clothing, and many other necessities. They ended up with 244,000 workers during this time, 95% of them being volunteers.
What started it all
After working with the International Red Cross overseas, Barton saw the need to start something like that here in America, thus beginning the American Red Cross.
The After Years
- In 1904, Barton resigned from the American Red Cross due to an internal power struggle and financial mismanagement.
- Although she was resigned, she was not done yet. She continued giving speeches and lectures. She also wrote an autobiography entitled The Story of my Childhood. This was published in 1907.
- Just five short years later, Barton died in her home in Glen Echo, Maryland on April 12, 1912.
An Autobiography
Upon resigning from the American Red Cross, Barton continued giving speeches and even wrote her own book.
Wrap-Up
- Born December 25, 1821, Died April 12, 1912.
- Gathered supplies for the Union Army.
- Began as an Independent Nurse.
- Started enforcing the use of new and clean techniques and practices of medicine that are still used today (such as simply washing your hands before moving on to the next patient).
- Went overseas, helped with the International Red Cross, and returned to America with the intentions of starting our own Red Cross.
- The American Red Cross was founded in 1881, Barton being named the first President.
- After resigning 1904, Barton continued to give speeches and lectures. She even wrote her own book.
- The American Red Cross still holds to its standards of helping our nation with disasters.
Women's Help
Women helped out during the war by becoming Independent Nurses and caring for the injured soldiers.
Joining the Red Cross
The American Red Cross was a big part in getting people to help out with war efforts.
Barton and Red Cross
Clara Barton started and ran the American Red Cross that we know today.