American Red Cross

American Red Cross


By: Katy Fedurek


The mission of the Red Cross is to “prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.​” Today, the American Red Cross focuses on the fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. Just in 2016 alone, the Red Cross served around 4.1 million meals and snacks, gave out more than 2.1 relief items, provided 206,000 places for people to stay overnight, and gave out more than 144,000 health and mental health consultations. The American Red Cross would not be able to serve as many people as it does today if it wasn’t for Clara Barton.

Source: http://valdostatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/american-red-cross.png

Clara Barton found her passion of helping other people due to an accident involving her brother. Barton worked as a teacher at the young age of 15 and eventually opened up a free public school. She also worked in the U.S. Patent Office, and as a nurse in the civil war. After the war, Barton helped return missing soldiers to their families and help find those who went missing. She also was a public speaker about her experiences during the war. While visiting Europe she worked for a relief organization during the Franco-Prussian War called the International Red Cross. Barton requested to bring a branch of this relief service to America. The American Red Cross was then founded in 1881 with Barton as the first president. Her role as president included helping those affected by the Johnstown Flood in 1889 and the Galveston Flood in 1900. Barton never took her pay for her work and used her own money to help support efforts to help people. She resigned from the American Red Cross in 1904.


If Clara Barton did not make an effort to start the American Red Cross, many people today would not have received all the help that has been given by the red cross. This organization has affected millions of lives, in our nation and in other countries. As a young girl going into the field of social work, Clara Barton is a good example of a leader and important aspect of social work today. I learned about Clara Barton in my Introduction to Social Work class and decided to research her more so I could write my blog about this week. She is an important role model for upcoming social workers and girls.