3 Things Children Can Learn from Clara Barton for Women’s History Month

Did you know the American Red Cross was founded by a woman? To be completely honest, I had no idea. I was simply amazed when I read about the life of Clarissa “Clara” Harlowe Barton, a woman from the 1800s who lived and served through the Civil War and eventually brought the Red Cross from Europe to the United States. Her story as an American woman is one that is both honorable and distinguishable as she gave much of her life towards humanitarian aid. 

Being a woman in the 1800s did not lend itself to the many equalities a man had. However, the life of Clara Barton proves to be one of resilience, compassion and drive that did not stop her from the barriers of societal norms in her time. 

This month as we honor women’s history, I thought we could look at the life of this exceptional human who changed the face of volunteerism and humanitarian aid in our country. There is so much we can learn from her experiences and trials as a female pioneer.

Here are 3 things children can learn from the life and legacy of Clara Barton:

Young people can make a difference.

Born in 1821, as the fifth child to a family of farmers, Clara was known as an extremely shy girl. Growing up she had to help care for one of her sick brothers at home, which was her first experience with nursing. She learned the value of caring for and tending to the needs of others at a young age. 

Besides helping at home, Clara eventually started teaching at a school at the age of 17. Several years later, she founded the first free school in New Jersey when she was 24 years old! It may come as a surprise that a shy girl would become a teacher, let alone start her own school. However, Clara seemed to defy the odds of what most people assumed was possible for a girl like herself. 

It is amazing to see what God can do with a shy young girl who is determined to seek out what she sets her mind on.

Ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

Clara was known to be vocal about not being underpaid compared to her male co-workers. Many women in her time were typically underpaid or did not hold jobs. Her bold stand to stick to what she felt was right helped her succeed in becoming the first woman to be hired in her position at the US Patent Office in Washington, DC. 

As the Civil War took place, she eventually quit her office job to bring needed supplies to the Union Army, setting foot on many battlefields across states. This was the beginning of her journey of volunteerism, as she followed her heart to bring aid where it was needed. Clara Barton also began nursing, comforting and cooking for injured soldiers throughout many battles during the war, and was nicknamed the “Angel of the Battlefield”. 

After the Civil War had ended Clara had learned about the Red Cross society in Switzerland as an international humanitarian aid organization that would voluntarily help the sick and wounded during wartimes as a neutral party. She decided to enlist help from influential friends to bring the idea of starting the Red Cross in America to the government, as she saw that there was an immense need. 

Clara Barton successfully founded the American Red Cross in 1881 and served as the president until the age of 83. 

In the 23 years of her time leading the American Red Cross, Clara Barton was able to provide disaster relief, medical supplies, materials, food and shelter to thousands of devastating events across the nation. She was able to provide aid to people made homeless by hurricanes or assistance to workers who became jobless from natural disasters who would otherwise have no other means to get by and back on their feet.   

Clara Barton, a seemingly ordinary woman, was able to defy societal female norms and create a ripple of change that can still be felt in our world today. 

Red Cross providing disaster relief to 30,000 (mostly African American) victims of a hurricane in South Carolina - 1893. [Picture - redcross.org]

God can use you where you’re at.

In the 1800s, not many women in the United States carried influential voices. Not many rights were granted to women, despite one’s status. However, Clara Barton did not stop pursuing her convictions because of the hindrances set before her. 

She was an able-bodied woman with a drive and passion for justice. After the Civil War had ended, Clara led the Office of Missing Soldiers, determined to help thousands of concerned families and friends. During her service, they were able to locate over 22,000 soldiers after the war. 

It wasn’t that Clara was extremely gifted in all these fields of work, in fact, many of her ventures were accomplished with others who were co-laborers with her. However, Clara used her God-given convictions and abilities to pursue things that mattered to her. As you can see by her life, she was able to accomplish extraordinary things with what she had.

Hopefully you can share Clara’s story with your children as a hopeful reminder that we’ve all been given different talents and abilities. It doesn’t take a Picasso or an Einstein to make history. Young and ordinary individuals, like Clara Barton, are able to do significant things with what God has given them. 

Comparison is a thief, and our children can fall into the trap that they’re not good enough. However, I hope as parents, we can introduce stories like Clara Barton’s that show the immense amount of good a single person can do if they’re willing to accept and be proud of who they are and what they have. I also hope this inspires young children to see all the wonderful things that God can do through them. 

Sources:

https://www.redcross.org/about-us/who-we-are/history/clara-barton.html

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/clara-barton