American Red Cross

The American Red Cross (chartered as the American National Red Cross) is a humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States, as part of the International Federation of the Red Cross.

Founders

The American Red Cross was established on May 21, 1881 by Clara Barton, who became the first president of the organization. Barton first organized a meeting on May 12 of that year at the home of Sen. Omar D. Conger (R, MI) http://www.redcross.org/museum/history/charter.asp. Fifteen were present at this first meeting, including Barton, Conger, and Rep. William Lawrence (R, OH) (who became the first vice-president https://www.trianglearc.org/ARCweb/FD/2001ballreview.htm,http://www.co.logan.oh.us/museum/Logan_County_History/body_logan_county_history.html).

Related Topics:
May 21 - 1881 - Clara Barton - May 12 - Sen. - Omar D. Conger - R - MI - Rep. - William Lawrence - OH

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Jane Delano (1862-1919) was the founder of the American Red Cross Nursing Service.

Related Topics:
Jane Delano - American Red Cross Nursing Service

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Clara Barton

Clara Barton (1821-1912) had already had a career as a teacher and federal bureaucrat when the American Civil War broke out. After working tirelessly on humanitarian work during and after the conflict, on advice of her doctors, in 1869, she went to Europe for a restful vacation. There, she saw and became involved in the work of the International Red Cross during the Franco-Prussian War, and determined to bring the organization home with her to America.

Related Topics:
Clara Barton - American Civil War - Humanitarian - International Red Cross - Franco-Prussian War

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When Clara Barton began the organizing work in the U.S. in 1873, no one thought the country would ever again faced an experience like the Civil War. However, Barton was not one to lose hope in the face of the bureaucracy, and she finally succeeded during the administration of President Chester A. Arthur on the basis that the new American Red Cross organization could also be available to respond to other types of crisis.

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As Barton expanded the original concept of the Red Cross to include assisting in any great national disaster, this service brought the United States the "Good Samaritan of Nations" label in the International Red Cross. Barton naturally became President of the American branch of the society, known officially as the American National Red Cross. John D. Rockefeller gave money to create a national headquarters in Washington, DC, located one block from the White House.

Related Topics:
John D. Rockefeller - Washington, DC - White House

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Clara Barton led one of the group's first major relief efforts, a response to the Johnstown Flood which occurred on May 31, 1889. Over 2,209 people died and thousands more were injured in or near Johnstown, Pennsylvania in one of the worst disasters in United States history. She resigned from the American Red Cross in 1904.

Related Topics:
Johnstown Flood - May 31 - 1889 - Johnstown, Pennsylvania - 1904

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