Clara Barton: The Heart of American Red Cross

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Introduction

From childhood to death Clara Barton dedicated her life to helping others. She is most notably remembered for her work as a nurse on the battlefield during the Civil War and for the creation of the American Red Cross. Barton was also an advocate for human rights. Equal rights for all men, women, black and white. She worked on the American equal Rights Association and formed relations with civil rights leaders such as Anna Dickensen and Fredric Douglass. Her undeterred determination and selflessness is undoughtably what made her one of the most noteworthy nurses in American history.

Historical Perspective

Clarissa Harlowe Barton, born on December 25, 1821, in North Oxford, Massachusetts. Carissa (Clara) was born the youngest of five children to Sarah and Steven Barton. Clara received all of her schooling and life training from her parents, brothers and sisters. Her father who was a once a captain in a war, taught Clara all he knew about the battlefield. Her mother taught her to sew and cook. Her two older sisters Sally and Dorothy taught her to read before she was four years old. Her brother Stephen taught her arithmetic and David her eldest brother taught her everything else; for instance, how to ride anything on anything with four legs, how to shoot a revolver, how to balance and how to take care of and nurse animals. (OTQEF, 1999, p.1) When Clara was 11 years old her favorite brother David, fell from the roof of the barn while trying to fix it, he was seriously injured and was not expected to live. Clara offered to help him and stayed by his side for three years. Her brother recovered thanks to Clara’s help. These learning experiences gave Clara the drive and determination to achieve anything she set out...

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...African Americans after the civil war Barton stepped in helping anyone she could. This to me is the way a nurse should feel in her heart. Wanting to be a nurse to be selfless and help individual get better or to console and stay with them to comfort them in their last moments. She is a true inspiration to nurses everywhere.

References

Holder, V. L. (2003). From hand maiden to right hand-- The birth of nursing in America “.ARON journal, 20. Retrieved from Academic OneFile. Web. 16 Apr. 2011

Marrow, L. (1996).Clara’s Heart. Policy review 75. Retrieved from Academic One File. Web.16 Apr.2011

Oracle Think Quest Education Foundation, (OTQEF) (1999) Clara Barton. Retrieved from http.//library.thinkquest.org/5940/cchildhood.html

Updike, W. A. (July 2000). “Angel of the Battlefield.” National Parks, 40. Retrieved from Academic One File. Web.25 Apr. 2011

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