GR06_ELA_FSQ02_PB_FY25 Passage 2 Resource Clara Barton

Passage 2: Clara Barton
1 Clara Barton spent much of her life serving humanity. She first
worked as a teacher. Then she helped with war-relief efforts during the
Civil War. Later, she founded the American Red Cross. As its first
president, Barton guided the organization to assist the hungry, injured,
and displaced throughout the world. She proved herself to be a hero
not only to Americans but also to the international community.
2 Throughout her life, Clara Barton set herself apart. She started
teaching at a time when most teachers were men, and she demanded
equal pay for herself. Then, in 1861, at the beginning of the Civil War,
Barton began working at the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, D.C. as
one of the first female federal employees. Wounded, hungry, and in need
of supplies, Union soldiers started streaming into the city. Barton began
distributing food, clothing, and bedding to the soldiers. She also provided
moral support to the men by reading to them, visiting with them, and
writing letters on their behalf. But Barton believed she was most needed
on the battlefields.
3 Beginning in August 1862, she began taking supplies directly to field

hospitals. Besides delivering these much-needed supplies to desperate
surgeons, Barton cared for and comforted soldiers who were being
treated in the hospitals. She became known as the “Angel of the
Battlefield” for her brave work.
4 Near the end of the war, Barton turned her attention to helping
families find missing prisoners of war. Barton and her assistants
managed to locate more than 22,000 missing soldiers. She also helped
establish a national cemetery for Civil War soldiers.
5 After spending so many years involved with Civil War efforts, Barton
traveled to Europe in 1869 for what was meant to be a rest. While
visiting Geneva, Switzerland, Barton became familiar with the
International Red Cross. The organization had been established just a
few years earlier. Barton later read a book by the founder of the
International Red Cross, Henri Dunant. In the book, Dunant promoted
international agreements to protect the sick and injured during wartime.
He also supported the formation of organizations designed to provide
neutral aid during conflicts. The result of Dunant’s idea was the
establishment of the Geneva Convention of 1864. This agreement
governed the proper treatment of military personnel and civilians
providing aid during wartime. It also recognized the Red Cross symbol
as a marker to protect people and equipment from harm. Twelve
European nations ratified the treaty, though the United States refrained
from ratification at the time.
6 In 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War, Barton used her war-relief

experience to help the International Red Cross distribute supplies in
France. Her duties in France differed from the ones she performed during
America’s Civil War. In France, she worked mainly with civilians in cities,
not soldiers on battlefields. The cities were in ruins, and the citizens were
victims of disease, homelessness, and starvation. In Strasbourg, France,
Barton established sewing workrooms, allowing local women to make
clothing in exchange for pay. This experience gave Barton an additional
perspective on the possibilities for providing relief.
7 After returning to the United States, Barton stayed in close contact

with the International Red Cross. In 1881, at the age of 60, she
established and became president of the American Red Cross. The next
year, she convinced President Chester Arthur to sign the Geneva
Convention. In 1884, the American Red Cross requested that an
amendment be made to the Geneva Convention. Though the Red Cross
had been involved mainly in wartime relief up to this point, Barton
proposed that the organization also assist victims of natural disasters.
8 The amendment passed, and for its first 20 years in existence, the
American Red Cross focused mainly on natural disaster relief. It helped
aid people who were victims of forest fires, floods, hurricanes, and
famine, both nationally and internationally. Many countries and
communities recognized Barton’s efforts and assistance by awarding her
with decorations. Barton served as the head of the American Red Cross
for 23 years, until her departure in 1904.
9 Clara Barton left behind an impressive legacy of humanitarian aid.

Through her superior organization efforts and selfless service, she
became a hero not just to the United States but also to the entire world.
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Passage 2: Clara Barton

3 Beginning in August 1862, she began taking supplies directly to field

6 In 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War, Barton used her war-relief

7 After returning to the United States, Barton stayed in close contact

9 Clara Barton left behind an impressive legacy of humanitarian aid.

Grade 6 Quizzes & Unit Assessments • © StudySync Company, LLC

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