Clara Barton Founds the American Red Cross: Healing in Action

What Happened?

Clara Barton wasn’t the kind of woman who waited to be asked. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, she rushed to help wounded soldiers—even showing up on battlefields with wagons full of supplies. She was fearless and relentless, earning the nickname 'Angel of the Battlefield.'

After the war, Barton used her wartime records to locate more than 20,000 missing Union soldiers. But she didn’t stop there. In Europe during the Franco-Prussian War, she saw the International Red Cross in action and realized America needed something just like it—an organization that could jump into action wherever people were suffering, not just during war but in fires, floods, and famines too.

She spent years convincing U.S. leaders that this mattered. And on May 21, 1881, the American Red Cross was officially born, thanks to Barton’s persistence and vision.

Under her leadership, the Red Cross helped in some of the worst disasters of the late 19th century—from the Johnstown Flood in Pennsylvania to famine relief in Russia, to rebuilding communities after hurricanes and earthquakes. In 1889 alone, Barton and her team stayed in Johnstown for six months, designing shelters and coordinating massive supply relief.

Barton fought for the U.S. to join the Geneva Convention, and in 1882, it did—cementing the Red Cross’s role not just in America, but in the global humanitarian movement. She served as president of the organization for 23 years, traveling, organizing, and pushing the boundaries of what women—and volunteer power—could do.

The Red Cross would later support troops in the Spanish-American War, expanding its work from disaster zones to battlefields once again. But it was Barton’s vision that turned a simple idea—help people when they need it most—into one of the world’s most powerful humanitarian forces.

Why It Matters

Clara Barton showed that compassion can be organized—and powerful. The Red Cross wasn’t just a reaction to war or disaster. It was a radical new way of thinking about service. Barton believed no one should suffer alone, and no one should have to wait for help. Today, when floods hit, fires burn, or wars rage, the Red Cross is there—because one woman decided to do more than care. She decided to lead.