Celebrating Women’s History Month with CSG Members
In celebration of Women’s History Month, CSG asked its female members to submit some of their most influential women in history who have inspired them in their careers and personal lives.
Submitted by Kansas Sen. Brenda S. Dietrich
Clara Barton, pioneering American nurse and founder of American Red Cross
“It irritates me to be told how things have always been done. I defy the tyranny of precedent. I cannot afford the luxury of a closed mind.” — Clara Barton
From Sen. Dietrich:
When I was in grade school, I was always inspired and fascinated by the accomplishments and stories of real people. I spent a lot of time in the library and I was drawn to the biography section. I was captivated by the stories of famous people, especially women, who did such great and wonderful things that someone wrote a book about them!
One of my favorite women from history was Clara Barton. She risked her life to bring supplies and support to soldiers in the field with bullets flying during the Civil War. She traveled with the Union Army throughout the war and also took it upon herself to identify soldiers who had been killed, locating their remains, marking graves, and notifying families. She probably is best known for founding the American Red Cross in 1881 and leading it for 23 years.
Her story was so interesting because she started out as a painfully shy young woman who was a teacher at the age of 18 (education is my profession) and went on to become the founder of a school for workers’ children at her brother’s mill when she was just 24. She obviously found her voice and became very motivated to help those in need and to become a true servant leader. I found her story so inspirational……she was a brave woman who let nothing stand in her way to accomplish her goals of helping those less fortunate and in finding ways to make the world a better place.
She was also a risk taker….When the Civil War began in 1861, Clara quit her job and made it her mission to bring supplies to Union soldiers in need and offer medical assistance even though she did not attend nursing school. This started a life-long career of aiding people in times of conflict and disaster, and helping the homeless and poor. She was also an ardent supporter of women’s suffrage and was known for being a civil rights advocate at a time before women had the right to vote. Clara was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1973. I admire her greatly.