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Rosanne Hughes as Clara Barton,

Founder of the American Red Cross

            Roseanne Hughes had assisted Dr. Frank DeMaio at Newcomb Hospital in her career as a nurse working with patients.  She also boasts an impressive resume of medical training and community and professional service, chairing various boards and committees, often working with DeMaio in a side projects here or there.    However, when he started talking about Charles Landis and Vineland history and the costume he was going to wear at the first Founder’s Day event in 1996, little did she realize the part she would eventually play in this new community service project.

          That first year, she portrayed one of Landis’ sisters.  Next, it was an exploration of women’s rights as Susan B. Anthony.  But, eventually, Rosanne married the love of her career choice in nursing with the pursuit of its historical significance in Vineland and American history.  She discovered a kindred spirit in a woman of history the Detroit Free Press once described as “. . . the most perfect incarnation of mercy the modern world has known.”

                                                                  Her name was Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross.

       Rosanne began to research the life of Clara Barton and collect historical artifacts of medical and nursing instruments, tangibly linking her to this pioneer in nursing.  For a decade now, Rosanne has shared Clara’s story with thousands of local school children and members of the community through display programs and  personal appearances, most notably, her exhibition tent at Founder’s Day.  In addition to her portrayal of Clara Barton, she assists DeMaio in maintaining the South Jersey Healthcare’s historic archive displays currently located in the basement foyer of the Medical Center on Sherman Avenue in Vineland .  Rosanne also serves the Friends of Historic Vineland as Secretary/Treasurer.  But, by far, her joy comes through portraying a woman of courage and selfless devotion, who is a timeless role model to the youth of today and generations to come, Clara Barton.

     Clara was born on December 25, 1821 in Massachusetts to a farmer and former soldier who loved to regale his little daughter with stories from his army days.  This may have imparted to her an eager interest in military matters.  From childhood she was familiar with the duties of nursing as she played nursemaid to an ailing brother after he was in an accident.  She became a teacher at age fifteen, before moving to Washington , D.C. in 1854.   In 1861, a regiment of soldiers arrived in the city, having lost their baggage and provisions.  Clara set to work supplying their needs.   Later, news of low battle supplies reached her after the battle of Bull Run and Clara stepped into action again.  She advertised for fresh provisions.  The public support was enormous, forcing her to set up an agency for distribution.  By 1862, she had gained permission to accompany transports to bring aid and relief to the sick and wounded during the Civil War.  She viewed each soldier as unique and ministered to them one at a time with courage, perseverance and resourcefulness.  To that end, the soldiers dubbed her “The Angel of the Battlefield.”

        After the war, Clara Barton organized a four year Federal search for missing soldiers in addition to her public lectures on her experiences, which led her to meet such personages as Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, and in turn, become an activist for women’s rights and black rights.   The year 1869 saw her heading to Europe and drawn into relief efforts during the Franco-Prussian war.  It was here that she saw the work of the International Red Cross, returning home in 1873 with a vision for the same type of program in America .  Through pamphlets and speeches she brought the idea before the public and gained the financial support of John D. Rockefeller to build its national headquarters a block away from the White House.  For the next 23 years Clara directed its activities bringing relief to the victims of wars and natural disasters. 

          This patriotic philanthropist died at the age of 91 in 1821 after a lifetime of service to her fellow man.  Rosanne Hughes’ portrayal of such an American heroine, tying her life in with interesting facts about nursing and the medical field in Vineland history make this exhibit an event highlight.  

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