Leo & Layla's History Adventures with Clara Barton

I'm really sad about the Millers moving away. It's so unfair. Sarah's one of my best friends and my soccer team is gonna really miss her. I don't understand why they have to move. It's because Mr. Miller lost his job. Everyone who worked at the factory did, so they're moving back to where Sarah's grandparents live. I know that, but I don't get why he lost his job. Dad said the company was successful and that Mr. Miller was a good worker. Somebody like the president or the mayor should make companies stay where they are. It's not fair to the workers to move their jobs to foreign countries. There has to be a way to reverse it. Let's use the history app. There's got to be someone who knows about fixing things when they aren't fair. The Millers just drove off, so it's a long shot, but let's try. Wee! Whoa, we're in the middle of a war. I think that lady's a nurse. She'll help us. Hurry, Leo! Hello, ma'am. I'm Leo, and this is my sister Layla. We're trying to find someone to talk to about fairness. If you're not too busy, can we talk to you? As long as you don't mind that I stay seated. I'm nurse Clara Barton, and I'm taking my first break in hours. My feet need some rest, but I can chat for a bit. Do you know anything about stopping unfairness? Yeah, our friend had to move because her dad lost his job, but it wasn't his fault. His company moved their factory and his job to another country. It's so unfair. How can we stop it? There was nothing the Millers could do. Exactly. Well, what do you mean exactly? It's not fair. No, it wasn't fair. But like your sister said, there was nothing the Millers could do. So we want to do something to fix the situation. We're hoping you can teach us how to reverse things that are unfair. I won't be able to do that. Most things that are unfair are that way because nothing can be done to reverse them. But what I can help you learn is how to recover quickly from hardship and to be resilient. Resilient? I haven't heard that word. What does it mean? Instead of a definition, let me tell you a bit about my life. And then maybe you two can figure out the meaning on your own. I think it'll stick better that way. You sound like a teacher. I was. My entire life, I felt a desire to help and serve others. When I was a child, I was a good student. And as soon as I was old enough, I became a schoolteacher. I taught for 12 years. What level did you teach? All subjects, levels, and ages. And it made me think that every American should have a good education. So in 1852, I created the first free public school in the state of New Jersey. Hey, we go to public school. My school was so successful that after a year, I attracted over 600 students. And the community raised money to build a schoolhouse big enough for everyone. Oh, I was so excited. But then something unfair happened, right? Once the new building was completed, the newly elected school board removed me from my position as school leader and dropped me down to female assistant. They believed the position was not appropriate for a woman. So they let you build the school from nothing and then replace you after all the hard work was done? And just because you're a woman? Not fair. No, not fair at all. But what was I to do? Throw myself a pity party and wallow in victimhood? Not me. I'm tough. I'm resilient. Did you fight the school board to get your position back? No, there was nothing I could do. But I didn't want the lesser school position. So I moved to Washington, D.C. and became a clerk in the U.S. government's office that handles new inventions. While there, I performed so well that I was the first female government worker to get a salary equal to men. I bet that showed those school board guys. I don't know. But my story of resiliency doesn't end there. Many men were upset that I received the same pay as them. They complained loudly. And I was demoted to a lesser job with lesser pay. What? So unfair. It was. And then, after James Buchanan became president, he fired me completely out of the government because of my political beliefs. Did you believe in something that was anti-American? Not at all. I just believed that America must be a place where all are welcome to live peacefully and follow their dreams. President Buchanan did not like that I am an abolitionist and want slavery ended. And he didn't like that I support the new Republican Party and not his Democrats. Wow, that was really mean of him. When you got fired, were your feelings hurt? They were. I loved working in the government. But I didn't let having another opportunity taken from me keep me down. A few years later, this civil war broke out. And now, I have the most important and rewarding job of my life. Being a nurse? Being a battlefield nurse. And actually, the title my boss, General Benjamin Butler, has given me is Lady in Charge. Ooh, I like the sound of that. Me too. But trust me, this war has been no fun. I am so proud to serve the Union Army and fight to end slavery and keep the country together. But I have seen so much pain and suffering. It has not been fair that so many soldiers have lost their lives. But we must keep fighting. And I think we're going to win this war. I thought about maybe being a nurse when I grow up. Did you have to get a lot of training? Oh no, there wasn't time. I didn't plan on becoming a nurse. But I lived near where the first civil war battles took place and I wanted to help. My first job was to write advertisements to try and get donations for medical supplies. And in my spare time, I would comfort injured soldiers by reading to them. But before long, there were so many injured that I just had to jump in and learn how to be a nurse on the fly. I began delivering medical supplies to the front lines, addressing wounds, and even have assisted doctors in surgeries. Miss Barton, you are one tough lady. Thank you, Leo. I like to think that I've been resilient or that I've shown a good amount of resiliency. I'm pretty sure I know the lesson now, Miss Barton. I know what being resilient means. I think I do too. And it's more than just being tough. When something happens that's out of your control and is really unfair, it's just that, unfair. And there's no use moping around or complaining about being a victim. What matters is not that something negative happened because bad stuff is always going to happen. What matters is how you pick yourself up and bounce back. Every time something has happened to you, Miss Barton, you've picked yourself up and figured out how to have new and even better opportunities. You've got it! And I trust that you will be resilient, children, as you face life's future obstacles, whether they're fair or unfair. Now, I'm sorry, kids, but I do need to get back to the battlefield. Unfortunately, my services are all too needed. Yes, of course, Miss Barton. Thank you for your time today. You're welcome, kids. Goodbye. Goodbye, Miss B. Okay, Sarah. Yeah, nice talking to you, too. I hope you come back to visit soon. Bye. Layla, I was just reading about what Clara Barton did after the Civil War. She started the American Red Cross. Really? They helped us when our house flooded. I know. Miss Barton started the Red Cross here in America. And for over 140 years, they've helped people when there's been emergencies and natural disasters. The work of Clara Barton has helped so many people. By the way, speaking of Miss Barton, I just got off the phone with Sarah Miller. She's still sad about having to move, but she's being super resilient. She likes her new school and is already the starting goalkeeper on her new team. Hey, did you eat my half of the cookies? Maybe. Leo, that's so unfair. Come on, be resilient, Layla. Ha. This kid. If you're interested in time traveling again, please subscribe to PragerU.com slash kids and watch more of our adventures.