Karen Vuranch & Clara Barton

 

On Tuesday, May 17, at 6:30 pm the Cabell County Public Library at 455 Ninth Street, will present Karen Vuranch reenacting Clara Barton. This performance is for adults and is sponsored by the WV Humanities Council. For information call 304-528-5700.

 

Clara Barton is perhaps one of the most famous women in American history. As a teacher, battlefield nurse, lecturer, and finally organizer and president of the American Red Cross, Barton served her nation and her community, tirelessly dedicating her life to voluntary service.

During the Civil War she served as an independent volunteer on the Union side, helping with nursing and feeding, and by the end of the war, her benevolence was legendary, earning the title Angel of the Battlefield. She later volunteered on the battlefields of the Franco-Prussian War in Europe. After the war, Barton worked continuously to create the American Red Cross, an organization which served America in war and in peace, and especially in times of disaster and national calamity. Clara Barton will be remembered for her strong leadership of the American Red Cross, and her great philanthropic accomplishments throughout her life.

 

Actress and historian Karen Vuranch recreates the enthusiasm and energy of this true American heroine. In a living history performance, Vuranch portrays Barton’s indefatigable energy, passion for social justice as well as her human frailty. Through Vuranch’s performance you experience the intensity of the battlefield and the campaign to create the American Red Cross. The performance is presented in the Chautauqua style. First, a monologue is given in which Karen brings Clara Barton to life. Then, the audience asks questions of Clara. Finally, in the third portion, Karen breaks character and takes questions from the audience.

Karen Vuranch is well known for her portrayals of women in American history. She has toured internationally with Coal Camp Memories, dramatizing life in the Appalachian coal fields. In addition to Clara Barton, she recreates Pearl Buck; labor organizer Mother Jones; Indian captive Mary Draper Ingles, Civil War soldier and spy Emma Edmonds, and performs a WWII play, Homefront. Her work has been honored by several organizations over the years. Karen was named the 2000 Performing Artist of the Year for Tamarack, the West Virginia state arts center, and received the 1997 Spirit of West Virginia Award from the state tourism office, to name a few of her honors.

The presentation of Clara Barton is presented by WV Enterprises.