Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 1881. Under her leadership, the organization conducted disaster relief programs, assisted the U.S. military during the Spanish-American war, and began performing peactime relief work. World War I saw a dramatic increase in the number of programs and workers. The Red Cross staffed hospitals and ambulance companies while also running programs that supported civilians. In the years after the war, workers provided relief for major disasters such as the 1927 Mississippi River floods and the Depression in the early 1930s.
For some of the women of World War II, the way to help the war effort was to join the American Red Cross. These paid workers left their families, friends, and their jobs or schoolwork behind to devote themselves wholeheartedly to their country. Some of these women had been turned down by the other services for medical reasons, while for many others the less-rigid training, the type of work available, or the greater opportunity to work overseas was the deciding factor. The Red Cross was particularly popular with women who were entertainers and those who had degrees in physical education. Among the many positions available for paid workers included medical personnel, field directors, recreational workers, nutritionists, social service workers, and office workers.
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Red Cross picnic, Norwich England, July 4, 1944. More than 3.5 million American Red Cross workers served on the home front and in almost every theater of operation during World War II. (Margaret Greene Collection, #WV-0099) |
American Red Cross doughnut shop in Europe, circa 1943-1945. By the end of the war, more than 7,000 Red Cross girls had served overseas. Many of them ran clubmobiles and distributed hot coffee and doughnuts to the GIs. It has been estimated that they made more than 1.6 million doughnuts. (Elizabeth Williams Collection, #WV-0058) |
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Serving troops from a clubmobile in Europe, 1945. (Mary Haynsworth Mathews Collection, #WV-0119) |
The Gray Ladies was one of the most well-known divisions of the Red Cross. It was founded in 1918 at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., and the volunteers provided non-medical assistance in Army and Navy hospitals. Having acquired their name because of the dove gray color of their seersucker uniform, this group of volunteers grew to become one of the most important of the Red Cross volunteer services. (Women Veterans General Textile Collection, #WV-0001) |
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Gray Lady uniform hat. (Women Veterans General Textile Collection, #WV-0001) |
American Red Cross battledress jacket and trousers worn by clubmobile women stationed in Europe. This uniform was made by Debenhams of London. (Muriel Coykendall Kiser Collection, #WV-0078) |
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American Red Cross cap with visor made by Debenhams of London. (Muriel Coykendall Kiser Collection, #WV-0078) |
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