Celebrating Women’s History Month: The Red Cross for the Every Woman

by Lilly Watson, Communications Manager, American Red Cross

During WWI & II, the Red Cross featured
women in their iconic advertising posters.

During Women’s History Month, it is typical to think about famous women who will go down in history, and we certainly have no shortage of them here at the Red Cross. Our founder, Clara Barton, was a feminist far ahead of her time. Jane Delano was the founder of the American Red Cross Nursing Service and pioneered the modern nursing profession. Here in Texas, activist and First Lady of the United States, Lady Bird Johnson, chaired the Senate Wives Red Cross Unit and wrapped bandages and sewed items for hospitalized veterans. She earned the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the American Red Cross Central Texas Chapter in 2007. 

Women have served for the
Red Cross long before society
deemed it appropriate. 

The true testament to the Red Cross’ place in women’s history, though, is how it allows every woman to find a place to serve and find personal purpose and fulfillment, and has done so long before society deemed it appropriate. Before women had the right to vote, Clara Barton brought them on the battlefield during the Civil War. 

When American men went off to fight in World War I and II, the American Red Cross recognized the women behind the effort by making them the forefront of its advertising campaigns. These iconic posters are still used today to show the Red Cross’ history of inclusion and support to those in crisis. Without them, we might easily forget the great contributions of women to the war effort during a time that they were not able to deploy to battle themselves. 

Women serving food and drinks
to the troops from the Red Cross
Clubmobile during WWII.

During World War II, women served through the Red Cross at home and abroad through the Red Cross Club, working in hospitals and traveling in trucks to serve cookies and donuts to those fighting in battle. 

Today, the Red Cross continues to be a place where people of all backgrounds can come together to serve those facing disaster, in our country and abroad. We’re proud to commemorate the women who have proudly served others through the American Red Cross for more than a century during Women’s History Month!

To start your story as a Red Cross volunteer, visit redcross.org.

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Independence Day Reminds of Red Cross History: U.S. Senate Recognizes Red Cross Clubmobiles

Written by Catherine Carlton, volunteer contributor

Over the Fourth of July, we take time as Americans to celebrate our country and our patriotism. One of the core values of America is service to our country, which is something that the Red Cross has been doing in the Dallas area for over 101 years. One way that the American Red Cross serves our country is by providing support to our military. During World World II our troops deployed all over the globe to fight for freedom and peace. The American Red Cross was right behind them, serving out of newly built Red Cross Clubmobiles that could follow the troops on their missions overseas.

The first Red Cross Clubmobile arrived in France just days after the D-Day invasion began. That summer, 80 Red Cross Clubmobiles provided food, drink, friendly faces to the troops and a listening ear.

The American Red Cross women who volunteered and operated Clubmobiles during World War II were recognized recently by the United States Senate with Resolution 471. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) spoke on the U.S. Senate floor on the importance of honoring the Clubmobile women.

“A visit from a Clubmobile was one of the most significant events for a young G.I. in combat far from home,” she said.“These women were trailblazers. During the war, 52 Red Cross women lost their lives, some of them from the Clubmobiles. Their stories are those of a nation at war….their stories are every bit as vibrant and important to our victory as those of the men who valiantly fought to defend our freedom.”

Barbara Pathe began her Red Cross career in 1942 as a volunteer; in the photo above she serves as a Clubmobile captain and club director with the armed forces in Europe during WWII. She described a 19-year-old that frequented her station” 

“He stood there and talked to me the whole time we were serving,” she said. “Listening was the biggest thing we did. Nothing else, just listening.”

The resolution was sponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Joe Lieberman (I/D-CT), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), James Inhofe (R-OK), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

“Service to members of the military and their families is a proud and core part of the Red Cross history and of our mission today, and we appreciate this recognition of the tremendous work of these Red Cross volunteers during World War II,” said Sherri Brown, senior vice president, Services to the Armed Forces, American Red Cross.

For more information about the Red Cross’ long standing history of military support and to learn about how you can serve with us in this capacity today, visit the Service to the Armed Forces page.

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