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.