Clarksville Now
CLARKSVILLE, TN On May 21, 1881, 140 years ago, Clara Burton founded the American Red Cross on the basis of wanting to help others in distress. Barton risked her life to bring supplies and support to soldiers in the field during the Civil War.
Over the last 140 years, the American Red Cross has expanded to provide many services to members of the American armed forces and their families, as well as provide disaster relief in the United States and around the world. These services include blood donations, emergency, and safety training, and international volunteerism.
Clarksville’s local chapter, the American Red Cross of Tennessee River, serves 12 counties from Kentucky to Alabama along the Tennessee River and is full of rich history. The local chapter was founded in May 1917 by Carrie Johnson, a school teacher, and granddaughter of Postmaster General Cave Johnson.