Clara Barton

Clarissa Harlowe Barton (Clara) was born on December 25, 1821 in North Oxford, Massachusetts. She was the youngest of five and her education came from her two brothers and two sisters that taught her spelling, arithmetic, geography, and even coached her in athletics. She entered the work force and became a teacher at the age of seventeen and taught in several schools before she established her own in North Oxford. She then studied analytic geometry, calculus, astronomy, mathematics and natural science in addition to French, German, ancient history, philosophy and religion in Clinton, New York at the Liberal Institute, an advanced school for female teachers. She then recognized the community's need for free education, and despite opposition, she set up one of the first free public school in Bordertown, New Jersey. She moved to Washington D.C., and was among the first women to gain employment in the federal government. She worked as a clerk in the U.S. Patent office, this was the first time a woman had received a significant clerkship in the federal government. With the outbreak of the Civil War Clara felt a calling to aid soldiers and dedicated herself as a volunteer. Later in her life she traveled to Europe for rest and change and was educated about the concept of the Red Cross. She served as its first president and also wrote the American amendment to the Red Cross constitution, which provided for disaster relief during peace time as well as war. ). Clara Burton was a pioneer American teacher, nurse, and humanitarian her contributions to the United States have been detrimental and she is one of America's greatest heroines.