For over half of our country's history, our mission has been shaped by Clara Barton’s belief that people deserve help when they need it most.
She founded the American Red Cross 145 years ago after encountering the international Red Cross network while traveling through Europe following the Civil War. Clara returned home determined to create an organization that would bring relief and care to people facing crisis.
For 23 years, Clara led the Red Cross with compassion and purpose. Under her guidance, the organization responded to its first disasters at home and abroad, supported the U.S. military during the Spanish-American War, and helped lay the foundation for safety training programs that continue today.
We honor Clara’s legacy — one that has made a difference across the U.S. for nearly two centuries — by helping communities recover from disasters, supporting service members and their families, teaching lifesaving skills, and providing lifesaving blood.