Alice BaiLeeSan Sun

SkibitskyNational History Day Process Paper

i. We decided to do our project on Clara Barton because her bravery as the founder and head of the American Red Cross astonished us. Because careers for women in the medical field are increasing each year, we also wanted to know how and if Clara Barton played an influential role in changing America’s views on the importance of “women’s” work.

ii. Most of the research was conducted online, by looking through archives with Barton’s old diary entries and letters to friends, along with newspaper articles. Other information was pulled from websites like the Red Cross website. These sources proved to be truly reliable as they provided first-person information from Barton about herself. We found that this information was useful in helping us understand the legacy Clara Barton left behind.

iii.a. We chose to make a website because it gives us a lot of freedom to include

multimedia in our presentation. It also allows for ease of access when it comes to where we can work on our project. Because we live so far from each other, we decided that making a website would be the most efficient. This way, we will be able to work on our project without having to waste gas and time commuting between each other’s houses every weekend. It is also very convenient to be able to revise and add information in snippets at a time, especially because our extra-curriculars and other school activities do not allow us to communicate consistently or easily with each other throughout the week.

b. Our project was created by optimizing the many tools that Weebly offers us. We conducted research and gathered information from many varied sources before we began to turn that information into text. We then added graphics, videos, and other forms of multimedia to our website in order to create an informational and enjoyable website presentation for all viewers.

iv. Our project relates to the theme in that Clara Barton was a leader in an obvious way – as the head of the American Red Cross – and also in the sense that she was a leader for women in a time where they were forced to do things that were considered weak and below men. If Barton had not carried out her duties with such kindness, or had the determination to help others, she would have never founded the American Red Cross, a fundamental part of our society today. . The leadership of Clara Barton shines on through the work she had done for America, and her legacy of generosity is evident in the organization that she established, and in the millions of lives that she has touched in the USA and around the world, never to be forgotten.