Clara Barton

Pioneering nurse and founder of the American Red Cross who revolutionized humanitarian aid.

Clara Barton (1821–1912) is celebrated as a trailblazer in humanitarian efforts, particularly for her role during the American Civil War and establishing the American Red Cross. Her unwavering dedication to aiding soldiers and civilians in crisis cemented her legacy as a woman who made a difference against societal norms.

During the Civil War, Barton earned the nickname 'Angel of the Battlefield' by delivering medical supplies directly to frontlines, a radical act for a woman at the time. She later identified over 22,000 missing soldiers through her Office of Missing Men, providing closure to countless families. Her work laid the groundwork for modern disaster relief.

In 1881, Barton founded the American Red Cross, expanding its mission beyond war zones to include natural disasters. She championed the Geneva Treaty, ensuring U.S. participation in international humanitarian law. Barton’s insistence on neutrality and rapid response remains central to the organization’s ethos today.

Barton also advocated for women’s rights and education, teaching one of the first free public schools in New Jersey. Her relentless spirit and innovative approaches to crisis management reshaped global humanitarianism.