Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross
Doyle Rader / American Red Cross
By: Teambera Ware
Clara Barton: A Legacy of Service and Philanthropy
The holiday season usually brings family and friends together, but one word always shines: giving. Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, embodies the spirit of philanthropy.
Clara Barton, the daughter of Stephen and Sarah Barton, was born on Dec. 25, 1821, in North Oxford, Massachusetts. Like the spirit of giving associated with Dec. 25, Barton embodied generosity throughout her life. At 18, Barton became a schoolteacher. In 1853, she founded a school in New Jersey.
As the Civil War began in April 1861, Barton found her place in it. She and several other women assisted men injured in Baltimore and transported them to Washington, D.C. Barton immediately took action, collecting much-needed supplies for wounded soldiers and delivering them to field houses and battlefields. She was instrumental in organizing soldiers for care and rest.
From the Battlefield to the Red Cross
When the Civil War ended, Barton pressed on. She, along with staff and friends, worked through the Missing Soldiers Office and went on to find more than 22,000 missing soldiers, dead and alive.
In 1869, she met representatives from the International Red Cross in Europe. During the Franco-Prussian War, Barton provided supplies and care to French citizens. Inspired by their humanitarian work, she returned to the United States and, over the next 10 years, worked to gather support for the American Red Cross, which she founded on May 21, 1881.
Barton served during countless disasters and was the Red Cross president for 23 years until her retirement at 82 in 1904. Following the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, Barton led the Red Cross disaster operation. While the Great Galveston Hurricane would be Barton's last disaster, it began the Texas Red Cross efforts. Barton passed away on April 12, 1912, in Maryland.
Through her work, she established the American Red Cross, a lasting gift that inspires volunteerism. Many hearts offer their time, donations and services for various causes.
Dr. Cynthia Jones-Weidman: Continuing the Spirit of Giving & Service
Much like Barton, Cynthia Jones-Weidman, RN, MSN, MEd, PhD, is a model woman dedicated to the care of others. Jones-Weidman is a North Texas nurse, volunteer, Air Force Officer veteran and East Texas Red Crosser. She exemplifies and shares Barton's heart for giving along with the same energy and endurance.
Jones-Weidman worked as an emergency nurse for decades before devoting her skills to the Red Cross, giving her career even more purpose. Like Barton, Jones-Weidman found her connection to the Red Cross while serving outside the country.
Making an Impact Far & Wide
While deployed in Japan as part of her military service, Jones-Weidman organized and hosted a Red Cross blood drive. Since then, she has served on Red Cross disaster relief teams for hurricanes Katrina and Ida, provided CPR training, first aid classes, virtual deployments to support and educate others and countless other missions. Most recently, Jones-Weidman responded in early 2024 to the Tri-State Wildfire that scorched much of the Texas Panhandle.
Today, she continues to serve many from her home in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, by serving on the Red Cross East Texas Chapter disaster team as the North Texas Regional Lead for Disaster Health Services and leading the East Texas Chapter International Humanitarian Law efforts.
Jones-Weidman has received numerous service awards in and out of the country. On April 11, 2024, she received the Susan Hassmiller Nursing Award on behalf of the North Texas Region for boosting nursing engagement in business, policy, and leadership.
"Though it is little that one woman can do, I still crave the privilege of doing it."
-Clara Barton
Just as Barton's words continue to inspire others, Jones-Weidman shares her wisdom on the importance of service:
"Make sure your mind and hearts are healthy and prepared...find what grounds you."
- Cynthia Jones-Weidman
The Legacy Continues
While we celebrate Barton's birthday and her legacy of service and humanitarian dedication, we also honor Jones-Weidman. Her commitment to carrying the torch first lit by Barton continues to make a meaningful impact on those in need.
Both Barton and Jones-Weidman exemplify service values in times of crisis, leadership in healthcare and education and the spirit of giving. Their dedication inspires others and creates lasting change.
This holiday season, we recognize their extraordinary contributions and celebrate their showing what it means to lead through adversity.
Jones-Weidman has been a great example of the Red Cross spirit, but she is just one of many inspiring examples. To learn more about remarkable Red Cross women making an impact in North Texas, explore these additional stories:
Get Involved
The American Red Cross recognizes that many others share the same qualities of compassion, dedication and a desire to make a difference in their communities. If you or someone you know feels called to give back and support those in need, we invite you to join our efforts by visiting RedCross.org/volunteer.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
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