My Leadership Inspiration

CLARA BARTON

Clara Barton, among many, many other leaders, has served as an inspiration for me. As the founder of the American Red Cross (arguably the largest, not-for-profit organization in America), she was one of the first women leaders in the nation. Back in 1800s, when the Civil War was in full swing, she decided to do what many women had already been doing- aiding the wounded soldiers. However, Clara wanted to do more. So she began to help the wounded not only in the infirmary, but also on the front lines of battle; a cause that quickly caught fire and several other people (men and women alike) began to aid in this effort. She became known as the "Angel of the Battlefield." 

Post war, Clara ran the "Office of Missing Soldiers," once again which was uncharted territory up until this point in time. This organization helped track missing soldiers and notify the families as soon as they were either found, or identified and pronounced dead in the infirmary. This was a huge task, because most bodies were left on the battlefields and were unidentifiable and/or went missing all together and many families never knew the whereabouts or outcomes of their loved ones. 

Clearly, Barton really found her passion in leadership and aiding in wartime effort. So she attended many conferences (including the Geneva Convention in Switzerland), and learned of the Red Cross movement- a neutral society that provides relief in times of crisis (i.e. wartime, natural disasters, etc.). In 1873, she took on the project of creating a chapter of this society in the United States. After much compromise and collaboration with the U.S Government, the American Red Cross officially became an established society just 8 short years later in 1881. Clara was appointed as president and founder- what an accomplishment.

In addition to all of this, prior to her wartime service, Clara had served as a teacher. After pursuing higher education (in language and writing) in New York, she decided to open the first free school in New Jersey because of her passion for teaching and helping others. Around 600 people attended this school during Clara's leadership, however when it came time to appoint a 'principal' (so to speak), the board elected a man instead of Clara, simply because he was a man. Despite this set back, Clara pursued new territory, instead of giving up on leadership all together. She moved to Washington D.C and was hired at the U.S Patent Office- making her the first ever woman to hold a government job. 

Clara is not only an inspiration to all leaders, but a true icon for the women's suffrage movement and for women as leaders. She went from being denied a a principal position at a school she founded, to being the president and founder of an organization that grew to be one of the largest nonprofit organizations that this country has ever seen. She is the epitome of leadership in that she never gave up on her vision. Despite setbacks that she faced, she innovated and adjusted her approaches and geared her efforts in a different direction until she achieved what she wanted to. She was always true to herself and her goals, and persevered even when it seemed that life would throw every obstacle at her. She also wasn't afraid to be different or to receive criticism- in her mind, these made her a better leader; and indeed they did.