Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in 1881 and remained at its helm until 1904. We enrolled more than 104,000 nurses for military service, prepared 27 million packages for prisoners of war, shipped more than 300,000 tons of supplies, and collected 13.3 million pints of blood for the armed forces. Between 1965 and 1972, American Red Cross field directors, hospital personnel and recreation workers (“Donut Dollies”) served on military bases and in military hospitals and hospital ships throughout Southeast Asia. Clara formed the American Red Cross in 1881. Clara Barton’s desire to help others did not stop at the battlefield. She went to work on the battlefield immediately .Clara was not in favor of slavery. During this 1864 meeting, the Treaty of Geneva was signed and the Red Cross on a white background was chosen as the protective emblem. Founder of the American Red Cross . So she provided self-taught nursing care. However, she did have some fun. Since our founding by Clara Barton on May 21, 1881, the American Red Cross has been dedicated to serving people in need. Clara Barton. The Red Cross mobilized in support of the U.S. military, our Allies and civilian victims of World War II. On the battlefield, she would provide care to all soldiers, Union or Confederate. Clara led the American Red Cross from 1881 to 1904. Established in 1912, public health nursing provided first aid education and nursing care to underserved communities. Years later, she went to the U.S. government and worked in the Patent Office in Washington, DC, granting permits for inventions. One day she met Dr. Louis Appia and Henri Dunant who had founded the International Red Cross, which helped people who had been hurt in war. But it was only for campgrounds, where there was no fighting. The sculpture honors the 296 nurses, including Delano, who gave their lives as the result of World War I. At age 5, her brothers dared her to ride a horse bareback, and she succeeded. She led the organization for 23 years, retiring in 1904. "The Red Cross…has often seemed to be the friendly hand of this nation, reaching across the sea to sustain its fighting men. Since our founding by Clara Barton on May 21, 1881, the American Red Cross has been dedicated to serving people in need. But months went by and Congress had not yet signed the treaty to join the International Red Cross, so Clara founded the American Red Cross, and became its first President. We received our first congressional charter in 1900 and to this day we are tasked by the federal government with providing services to members of the American armed forces and their families as well as providing disaster relief in the United States and around the world. Are you familiar with the classic images of Red Cross nurses helping American soldiers and civilian war victims during World War I? 1821 - 1912. Appia talked with Clara about The Red Cross and its work. For more information about our history, contact American Red Cross Historical Programs ». "Clara Barton's 1898 battles in Cuba: a reexamination of her nursing contributions." Clara's family urged her to do teaching. But the physician was wrong. Located on the grounds of Red Cross Square (E Street/17th Street NW), Motherland features a woman protectively embracing her child. At school Clara didn't interact with other children. I think Clara was a brave and self-sacrificing person. When the United States declared war on Germany, the American Red Cross was tasked with aiding American servicemen in Europe. Red Cross uniforms followed the styles of the period with a military-inspired topcoat, gored or paneled skirt for the dress and a cape for the Red Cross motor corps uniform. ", - Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Address to Congress, June 18, 1945. Now that you’ve learned about our history, please consider joining our efforts. A “Donut Dollie” offers coffee to soldiers taking a break from the fighting. She was a nurse on the battlefield, providing care to soldiers. She wanted the American Red Cross to help the victims of natural disasters, not just war, and she later persuaded the International Red Cross to do that too. Volunteer Services uniforms with the hoover apron or paneled skirt mirrored the fashions of the period. Get "Save Lives. She was nicknamed "The Angel of the Battlefield." Clara Barton: Founder of the American Red Cross. Working Women: Clara Barton; Clara Barton the Activist. Clara Barton … Clara Barton was an inspiration to many people. bumper stickers to share. Line of Communication Canteen by Cameron Burnside. This 1918 American Red Cross poster, by Harrison Fisher, with the slogan I Summon You to Comradeship in the Red Cross is an iconic example of World War I era poster art. Portrait of Clara Barton, 1860s or 1870s. With federal funding, Clara Barton established the first office of the American Red Cross in her Washington, D.C. apartment on May 21, 1881. In nearly every American family, someone was a Red Cross volunteer, donor or blood donor, or received Red Cross services. Read timely insights into Red Cross history and explore our archives through our blog: Visit Red Cross Chat. By the end of the war, nearly one-third of all Americans had donated in support of the Red Cross effort or were serving as volunteers. The sculpture was commissioned by The American Red Cross Overseas Association (ARCOA) and honors all those that gave their lives in service to the Red Cross. The blood program for the military was expanded. The Red Cross identified medical personnel and their facilities becoming the basis for the International Red Cross. Even while the Red Cross adapts to meet the changing needs of the people we serve, we always stay true to those roots. Jane Delano Memorial by Robert Tait McKenzie. The stained glass windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany Studios were a gift from the “women of the north” and the “women of the south” as a symbol of unity and healing after the American Civil War. Recorded in her journal as April 13, 1898 . The Red Cross collected millions of pints of blood for the armed forces. Here are just 10 things we learned from her talk: We know her as Clara Barton, but her full name is Clarissa Harlowe Barton. During her childhood, she was very shy, and her older brothers and sisters were always bossing her around. Have you ever given blood or received donated blood? In some rural communities, nurses traveled by horseback to reach remote locations. Be a Nurse." Clarissa Harlowe Barton—teacher, government employee, and humanitarian—founded the American Red Cross in 1881. Stylish 1948 Military and Naval Welfare service coats came with hats and in both topcoats or raincoats with liners. Later, she found 22,000 soldiers who were marked "missing.". Located in the memorial garden, the Jane Delano Memorial is dedicated to the founder of the Red Cross Nursing Service and all Red Cross nurses. Clara formed the American Red Cross in 1881. Barbara A. Somervill. Located on the grounds of Red Cross Square (E Street/18th Street NW), Red Cross Emblem, created in 2003 is dedicated to volunteerism and the volunteer spirit of the Red Cross. The Signing of the Treaty of Geneva by Charles Edouard Armand-Dumaresq. During World War I, the American Red Cross provided civilian relief to the impacted populations of Europe and supported the U.S. military at home and abroad. Clara and her four older siblings were raised on a small farm by their parents Sarah Stone and Stephen Barton. View highlights of the collection shown on the public tour. In 1905, Clara formed the National First Aid Society to teach people how to give first aid and save lives even when health workers are not there.