Barton received a widespread recognition by delivering lectures around the world, about her war experiences. After her country wide tour she was both mentally and physically exhausted and under doctors orders to go somewhere that would take her far from her current work. She packed up and went to s retreat in Europe where she met Susan B. Anthony and began a long association with the women's suffrage movement. She also became acquainted with Frederick Douglass and became an activist for civil rights.

In 1869 during her trip, Barton was introduced to the Red Cross and Dr. Appia; who later invited her to be the representative for the American branch of the Red Cross .

In 1878, she met with President Rutherford B. Hayes, who expressed the opinion of most Americans at that time which was the U.S. Would never again face a calamity like the Civil War. Barton finally succeeded during the administration of President Chester Arthur, using the argument that the new American Red Cross could respond to crisis other than war such as earthquakes, forest fires, and hurricanes.