Clarissa Harlow Barton
Do you know her name?
She was a Christmas gift from God
To ease man’s suffering and pain.
Born in Massachusetts, In 1821,
She was just seventeen
When she began to educate the young.
She opened a free school
In New Jersey, where,
Instead of leaving her in charge
They put a man in there.
So she got herself a job With the U.S. Government Working in the office
Of copyrights and patents.
“Angel of the Battlefield”
Is what they called her when She nursed wounded soldiers In the Civil War, and then,
Searched for the missing, When the war was through.
She also marched for suffrage, To give women their equal due.
Old Clara fell ill
Somewhere along the way. Her doctor told her to rest, To take a holiday.
But even when in Europe
She found someone in need – yeah- And learned of the Red Cross
As outlined by Geneva.
Twelve countries signed that treaty, But not Uncle Sam
Until Clarissa got involved
And drew up a new plan.
From just helping in war zones
To any catastrophe,
So the next time the news
Shows disaster on TV
And you see the Red Cross there
You’ll know it was done
By a woman who’s place
Was supposed to be in the home.
Yes! She was a powerhouse.
And just one final note:
She died eight years
Before women had the right to vote.
