Emily Bissell designed the first Christmas Seal for the American Red Cross and was the originator of the first drive in the United States to fight tuberculosis. Born in 1861 to an affluent Delaware family, she could have lived
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a sheltered and comfortable life. However, she chose to become a social worker, a profession she practiced until her death in 1948. She began her social work in 1876 and was active in founding the first social services organization or settlement house in Wilmington, Delaware. She also lobbied for a child labor law. In 1907, she was asked to raise funds for a local experimental tuberculosis hospital. As a contributor to popular magazines she was familiar with an article about Denmark's pioneer Christmas Seal drive written by the popular journalist Jacob Riis. Bissell adopted the idea and organized her own campaign in Delaware. As secretary of the Delaware Chapter of the American Red Cross, she obtained permission to use the Red Cross emblem in her design. On May 31, 1986, she was honored with a 15 cent postage stamp that bears her image.
The 1907 seal shows a wreath of holly surrounding the familiar greeting "Merry Christmas." Two days after the first supply went on sale more than 30,000 were sold and a new supply was needed. Since the Wilmington printer was swamped, one from Philadelphia was chosen. The distance between the two cities caused a delay in getting the Christmas Seals printed in time for the holiday. Adding the words "Happy New Year" solved the problem.
