Philanthropy

The American dream is defined by many as the vision of what makes our life fuller and that we are given the opportunity to achieve that dream. Clara Barton, a teacher and nurse during the Civil War, defined her American dream as helping others and giving back to her community. She devoted her time to bringing the sick back to good health and creating new schools, so students were provided with equal opportunities. Clara Barton, born in Worcester County, Massachusetts, had somewhat of an unhappy childhood, but grew up finding a way to make something of her own and dedicate her life to serving others. Clara was the youngest of two brothers and three sisters; her father, Stephen Barton Sr., served as a soldier in the West. She grew up learning the general rules of business through her duties at home, what she learned in the school system, and acting as a clerk and book-keeper for her eldest brother.

When she became an adult, she became an educator and taught for many years in Massachusetts and New Jersey. While teaching, she demanded that wages would equal her male coworkers when she asked to take on schools that were traditionally for male teachers. She would go above and beyond to fight for equal rights in the education system. She relocated to Bordentown New Jersey where there were no public schools, hoping to make a difference in their lives. She offered to teach a free school for three months at her own expense to show them that it could be done. She ended up establishing a free public school in New Jersey before going to work for the United States Patent Office in Washington D.C.

“I may be compelled to face danger, but never fear it,” Clara Barton stated during the Civil war, “and while our soldiers can stand and fight, I can stand and feed and nurse them” (68). Clara Barton developed an understanding of human suffering as well as nursing skills while taking care of her severely injured brother, David. Her services during the Civil War began with volunteer work: providing medical supplies and personal items to soldiers. She was finally granted permission to accompany army ambulances on the battlefield. She would nurse the wounded, provide them with food, and assist the surgeons during operations. She earned the name “Angel of the Battlefield”. Because of her work during this time, she will forever be remembered as a dauntless and courageous woman. Barton nearly lost her life while crossing a river during battle to tend to the wounded, demonstrating her will to sacrifice her life to save others.

During her service, she became familiar with and worked for the International Red Cross, which was established through the Treaty of Geneva in 1864. Barton was determined that the United States would ratify this treaty. She used all her strength to fight for the establishment of the American Red Cross. In 1882, The United States signed the Treaty of Geneva, making the American Red Cross a member of the international organization. She never married because she dedicated herself to this organization she put so much heart into. Clara Barton became the president of the organization and remained the head for over twenty years.

She lived her life with the strong desire to promote the welfare of others and had an immense love for humanity. Clara Barton’s American dream was philanthropy, because she devoted her entire life to bettering the lives of those around her. This is extremely fundamental to the American dream because everyone is given an opportunity and the ability to achieve something. Her achievements created a fuller life for the students she taught and the soldiers she cared for. Many people during the Civil War described her as having healing in the touch of her hand. She was so filled with humanity that her American dream aided others, whereas many other American dreams-money, fame, a spouse-tend to revolve around themselves. She is altruistic and did what she believed was right even when she was not acknowledged of her position or paid for her work during the war. “The earth can never have enough women like Clara Barton” (Detroit Free Press).