Month: June 2022

Clara Barton

Hi!  My name is Clara Barton.  When my mother was pregnant with me, my sister said, “I hope it’s a girl.”  My brother said, “Well, it is going to be a boy.”  My sister was right.

While my siblings were at school, I went with my dad to our farm.  Years later, Sally (my sister) and David (my brother) taught me how to ride a horse.

Many years later, I offered to be a teacher.  I lost my breath completely.  I decided I was going to Washington.  Washington was a very exciting city.  I saw men huddled together, and then I wondered if they were discussing war.  

I said to Mr. Mason, “Now may I see where I’m going to work?”

Mr. Mason said, “Certainly, Miss Barton.”

In November 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the U.S.A.  I quit my job and helped give out supplies during the Civil War.  I helped a lot of people.  Later, I was the founder of the American Red Cross.