Clara

            Clara Barton Clara Barton, known as an American humanitarian, the "Angel of the Battlefield," and known for being the American Red Cross founder accomplished many things during her life. Throughout her long commitment of service, Clara achieved honor as a teacher, battlefield nurse, lecturer, and founder of the American Red Cross. Through her many years of work, Clara made a huge impact on America that can still be felt at present times. Clara was born Clarissa Harlowe Barton on Christmas Day of 1821 in North Oxford, Massachusetts. Her father, Captain Stephen Barton, and mother, Sarah Barton, raised her on a farm along with her two brothers, David and Stephen, and two sisters, Dorothy, and Sally. Most of Clara's education came from learning from her brothers and sisters; they were all older than her, so they had acquired a lot of information to share with her. Dorothy taught her spelling, Stephen helped her to understand arithmetic, she learned geography from Sally, and became more athletic with the coaching of David. With the vast interest her family gave into educating her, at age four Clara could already spell multi-syllable words. Her early education set the pace for her to achieve academic success in formal schooling. . In addition to getting a good start in academics, Clara also exhibited the skills it takes to be a nurse as a child. When Clara was young, she played make believe as a nurse and nursed pets back to help if they got hurt or were ill. At age eleven, Clara received real life training as a nurse when one of her brothers tragically fell off the roof of their barn and needed Clara to take care of him for two years. Clara's mom also contributed to Clara's ability to perform nursing duties by focusing more on teaching her the art of cleanliness and how to do the basic responsibilities of a woman such as how to sew, cook, and make soap. Clara, influenced by her sisters who were already teachers, began the first part of her career by becoming a teacher at age seventeen.