Clara Barton and the American Red Cross - Celebrating 132 Years of Service

Hello everyone! Here’s another installment of my series on Clara Barton, which I am writing as a part of my quest to get the Clara Barton Civil War 150th Anniversary Junior Ranger Badge.

Today is a special day to be talking about Clara Barton and her accomplishments because today, May 21, 2013, is the 132nd Anniversary of the American Red Cross! So, Happy Birthday American Red Cross! :)

The American Red Cross is dedicated to helping people in need throughout the United States and the world. They depend on monetary donations, blood donations and volunteers to support their lifesaving programs and services. Take some time to honor the American Red Cross by donating blood this week, or by donating money to help the victims of the devastating tornado which ravaged the state of Oklahoma on Monday.

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Clara Barton, Founder of the
American Red Cross.
Photo Courtesy redcross.org

Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross on this day in 1882 in Washington, DC. She was 60 years old at the time. Barton led the Red Cross for 23 years, during which time she engaged in numerous relief efforts and changed the face of humanitarian aid in the United States.

Image Courtesy nps.gov

Clara Barton's informative
pamphlet about the Red
Cross for Congress and
the American People.

She was determined to start the American Red Cross after her involvement with the Red Cross humanitarian organization in Europe in the years following the Civil War. The officials in Switzerland recognized her determination and leadership capabilities and gave her a letter to take to President Hayes in an effort to sway him to sign the Geneva Treaty in 1877. He declined. A year later, in 1878, Barton wrote an informative pamphlet about the Red Cross to explain the organization to Congress and the American people. A transcript of the introduction is written here:

To the People of the United States, Senators and Representatives in Congress:

Having had the honor conferred upon me of appointment by the Central Commission holding the Geneva Convention to present that treaty to this Government, and to take in charge the formation of a National organization according to the plan pursued by the committees working under the treaty, it seems to me but proper, that while I ask the Government to sign it, the people and their representatives should be made acquainted with its origin, designs, methods of work, &c. To this end I have prepared the following statement, and present it to my countrymen and women, hoping they will be led to indorse and sustain a benevolence so grand in its character, and already almost universal in its recognition and adoption by the civilized world.

CLARA BARTON,Washington, D.C.

Despite her tireless efforts, the treaty would not be signed until 1882, when it was finally signed by President Arthur.

Photo Courtesy of nps.gov

Clara Barton, 1878,
wearing the Red Cross pin
given to her by the Germans
for her service during the
Franco-Prussian War. 

For its first 20 years, with Barton as President, the American Red Cross was mostly involved with disaster relief. Their first project was to raise money and collect clothing to aid victims of a Michigan forest fire in 1881. Other projects included assisting with flood victims (1884) and aiding survivors of a dam break in Pennsylvania (1889). Their first international aid project was in 1892 where they helped the Russians during a period of famine by providing 500 railroad cars of cornmeal and flour. She would later aid the Germans in the Franco-Prussian War.

One of their more famous aid projects during Barton's tenure came in 1893 when a hurricane and tidal wave hit the Sea Islands of South Carolina, leaving over 5,000 people dead. She worked for 10 months helping the predominantly African-American population of the area recover, rebuild and reestablish their agricultural economy.

Her last project before she left the agency in 1904 was to assist with hurricane and tidal wave victims of Texas in 1900. She gave financial assistance and supplies to the survivors which were valued at over $120,000.

Photo Courtesy of nps.gov

Clara Barton, 1902.
In this color-retouched photo,
Barton wears the amethyst pansy
and Red Cross Pin given to her by
the Grand Duchess of Baden (Germany)
and the Imperial Silver Cross of Russia.

Barton was the Red Cross’ strongest advocate for the International Red Cross agencies to do more than provide wartime services. Although she was not the first person to suggest it (Henry Dunant was in 1864), Barton pushed to have an amendment to the Geneva Treaty passed that would allow relief to reach international victims of natural disasters in addition to the wartime services they provided. Some nations were unsure about the measure, but the resolution passed in 1864 and would later be known as the “American Amendment” to the Geneva Treaty. Because of her persistence and the passing of this resolution, it became possible for relief efforts to be expanded. Many countries honored her for this effort, including Germany and Russia for the relief she provided to those countries during the Franco-Prussian war and the Russian famine, respectively. The honors included the German Iron Cross and the Imperial Silver Cross of Russia.

After Barton left the Red Cross, the agency moved in a new direction. This new direction was marked during the Spanish-American War, when the organization delivered supplies and services to Cuba. This aid was distributed to American armed forces, prisoners of war and Cuban refugees. This action marked the first time that the organization provided assistance to both American armed forces and civilians during a war.

The American Red Cross has continued to grow and expand over the years. When disaster strikes, the world looks to the Red Cross for help; it is a force larger than itself, assisting others without judgment or prejudices. It has become a strong and recognizable symbol synonymous with relief efforts, both foreign and domestic, natural disasters or otherwise. And without Clara Barton's tireless efforts, none of it would have been possible.

Explore on, Junior Rangers! :)

Source:  redcross.org