Clara Barton

history · nurse · helping others · civil rights

Founder of Red Cross. Clara Barton created the American Red Cross, an organization that helps people during disasters and emergencies. Today, the Red Cross is still one of the most important groups in the world for taking care of people in crisis.

Self-taught nurse. Clara didn't go to nursing school like nurses do today. Instead, she taught herself how to care for sick and wounded soldiers during the American Civil War, proving you could be amazing at something through hard work and dedication.

Many different jobs. Before becoming famous as a nurse, Clara worked as a teacher and even as a patent clerk in Washington, D.C. She showed that women could do all kinds of important work, even when society didn't expect them to.

Champion for rights. Clara spoke up for people's rights and did humanitarian work at a time when women didn't even have the right to vote. She proved that you don't need permission to stand up for what's right.

Honored in history. Clara Barton was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1973 because of how much she changed the world and helped so many people.