Diverse History

OUR DIVERSE BEGINNINGS

The American Red Cross enjoys a long tradition of humanitarian service. The names and contributions of Clara Barton, Mabel Boardman, Commodore Wilbert E. Longfeller, and Jane Delano are prominent in our organization history. Not well documented are the contributions of people of color. Individuals of African American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American descent lead our organization as past and present members of our Board of Governors, and are creating legacies as employees, volunteers and donors.

Did you know that

Frederick Douglass Dr. Charles R. Drew Dr. Jerome H. Holland Gwendolyn T. Jackson, National Chairman of Volunteers, 1989-1991; Member, Board of Governors, 1992-1998 Steve D. Bullock: American Red Cross Acting President, January 1999 to July 1999.

• ...Frederick Douglass, a leading spokesman of African Americans in the 1800s, was a friend of Clara Barton. Mr. Douglass offered encouragement when Clara Barton sought advice and support in her efforts to gain U.S. acceptance as a member nation of the International Red Cross.

• ...The Red Cross presence in Puerto Rico was there long before the American Red Cross first chartered it in 1917. The Spanish Red Cross founded the movement in Puerto Rico on July 7,1893 when Puerto Rico was still under the dominance of the Spain government. Manuel Fernández Juncos, a member of the Spanish government and a Spanish Red Cross delegate to Puerto Rico, was the person charged with the task of founding "Las Comisiones de la Cruz Roja Española" (Spanish Red Cross branches) throughout Puerto Rico. The Spanish Red Cross "Comisiones" (branches) in Puerto Rico remained active until 1898 when the American Red Cross started to make a presence on the island through its Nursing corps.

• ...Ruth Hills Wadsworth, a Mescalero Apache Nurse, was the first American Indian to serve as a Red Cross nurse overseas during World War I.

• ...Frances Reed Elliot Davis, was the first African American nurse to be accepted in the American Red Cross Nursing Service in 1918.

• ...Lula Owl Gloyne, a Cherokee graduate nurse, was a Red Cross nurse during World War I. After the war, she taught Home Nursing and First Aid on the Cherokee Indian Reservation.

• ...Mary McLeod Bethune, educator and founder of Bethune Cookman College, was instrumental in establishing a relationship between the American Red Cross and the African American community in the early 1900s.

• ...Dr. Charles Drew, an African American physician, started the American Red Cross blood banking. The Charles Drew Institute in Biomedical Services is named for Dr. Drew.

• ...Dr. Jerome Holland, an African American educator, former U.S. Ambassador to Sweden, and former President of Delaware State College and Hampton Institute (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) was appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors in 1979 and reappointed in 1982. The world renowned Holland Research Laboratory is named for Dr. Holland.

• ...Gwen Jackson, an African American human resource professional and Red Cross volunteer was appointed National Chair of Volunteers in 1988.

• ...In October 1992, the President's Agenda for Cultural Diversity focused on career development and advancement, diversity recruitment, community outreach and recognition of best practices in individuals and Red Cross units. The 12 point agenda included the Presidential Scholars Program, the Mini-Challenge Grant Program, the Presidential Intern Program, the President's Fund for Cultural Diversity Ambassadors Program, the Ten-By-Ten President's Award, the Staff Exchange Program, the Executive Forum Program, the Joint Projects and Promotions Program, Senior Management Accountability, the President's Circle Program, the Executive Apprenticeship Program and the Glass Ceiling Award.

• ...The Diversity Division of Human Resources was created in July 1994 to support organizational activity in the rapidly expanding area of diversity, and supports the strategic goals of the department through the design and implementation of effective diversity change processes and resources.

• ...In May 1998, the Corporate Diversity Department and Chief Diversity Officer position were created. The Chief Diversity Officer position reports directly to the President and CEO of the American Red Cross.

• ...Steve Bullock, African American and former CEO of the Greater Cleveland Chapter, served as Acting President of the American Red Cross in 1999.

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