Clara Barton (1821-1912) founded in 1881 the American Association of the Red Cross. As a young woman in 1851, she attended a pioneering coeducational academy, the Liberal Institute, run by the Universalist Church in Clinton, New York. There she prepared for a life of self-sacrifice by engaging a demanding liberal arts curriculum that included math, philosophy, religion, history, the natural sciences, and foreign languages. During the American Civil War, Clara became the “Angel of the Battlefield” by organizing massive efforts to tend to the North’s wounded warriors.
In recognition of Clara Barton’s historic ties to Clinton, the Mohawk Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross held its first Clara Barton Reception at the Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization (AHI) on Flag Day, June 14, 2012. AHI Charter Fellow Robert Paquette welcomed guests. Rosie Taravella, CEO of the Red Cross’s Central New York chapter opened ceremonies, and James Hastie, Major Gifts Officer, presented Volunteer Awards to area residents who had provided distinguished service to the regional chapter.
“The AHI enjoyed the symbolic wedding of Alexander Hamilton to Clara Barton on Flag Day,” said Paquette. The Red Cross and the AHI have overlapping missions, and we look forward to additional collaboration, perhaps in supporting a blood drive in the near future. We were honored that the regional chapter of the Red Cross chose the AHI for this inaugural event.”
Leave A Comment