Clara Barton, Founder of American Red Cross

Hurricane Sandy has been another chance for our country to come together and support each other. News reports of the damage caused to New Jersey and the surrounding areas have shown us the destruction. Over the years, tornadoes, war, tsunamis and other disasters have had their way with us. When disaster strikes, one of the best ways for us to support our neighbors is to support the American Red Cross.

The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton.

Clara worked in the patent office in Washington and was well aware of the horrors occurring on the Civil War battlefields. She wanted to do what she could to make a difference for the soldiers. She provided for their physical needs of food, bedding, and clothing, but she also offered emotional support by reading letters sent from family or just listening as the soldier shared his story.

After the war, she was ordered by a doctor to get some rest and Clara took a trip to Europe. She was introduced to the Red Cross in Europe and knew the U.S. would benefit from a similar program. She was 60 years old.

Don't ever think you are too old to make a difference and leave your mark on the world.

Sarah Rosetta Wakeman

What's a woman to do if she wants to join her countrymen in the Civil War? She couldn't just walk into the recruitment office in 1861. Women weren't allowed to serve in the armed forces but it's estimated 400 women left society's expectations behind, disguised themselves as men and went off to war.

Check out the book written about her life, An Uncommon Soldier, by Lauren Cook Burgess