Clara Barton was born in Boston, Massachusetts;. Her father was a farmer and state legislator. Well-spoken and well-read, Clara Barton began teaching at nearby schools at the age of 15 . In 1850 she went to teach in New Jersey, but since this state required payment for schooling, few children could go.  Barton offered to teach without a salary if payments were waived, and she later took pride in having established the first free school in New Jersey.

         In April, 1861, when the Civil War began, Barton served the Federal (northern) troops in many ways. After the war, she offered to lead an American branch of the International Red Cross.The Red Cross helps victims of disasters like earthquakes, fires, or floods.

        So, in 1881, Clara Barton began the American Red Cross, and became its first president. She spent the rest of her life working with the Red Cross, and this work made Clara Barton a symbol of humanitarianism for future generations.

A.) Read this biography of Clara Barton.
 

1. Write three sentences that describe Clara Bartonís family when she was growing up.
2. What was the Treaty of Geneva?
3. What things did Barton accomplish as president of the Red Cross?
4. Clara Barton said of life, "You must never so much as think whether you like it or not, whether it is bearable or not; you must never think of anything except the need, and how to meet it." What do you think she meant by this? Do you agree with her?

C.) Read this information from the National Womenís Hall of Fame
 

D.) Answer these question

1. What helped Bartonís lifelong timidity (fears) disappear?
2. What types of things did she do during the Civil War?
3. Barton earned the nickname "the angel of the battlefield."
4. What do you think that means?
5. How did Barton help soldiers who were missing in action?
    
    

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