Friday, February 28, 2014

Humanitarians to honor during Black History Month


By Kassidy Ketron

Intern


In honor of the end of Black History Month, we would like to remind you of a few very important people to the American Red Cross and how you can honor their memory.

Frances Elliot Davis

We’ll start with Frances Elliot Davis. She was born in 1881 in Shelby, North Carolina and was determined to chase her dreams of becoming a nurse during a time when it was difficult to do so for an African American woman.

She became one of the first African American women to be accepted to Freedman’s Hospital Training for Nurses and passed the exam given to white nurses, which was considered more rigorous, she became the first African American to attend the American Red Cross at Columbia University.

She served as director of nurses at a hospital, organized a training school for nurses, managed health clinics, established a day nursery and caught the attention of Eleanor Roosevelt, just to name a few of her accomplishments.

Davis spent most of her life dedicated to helping others and volunteering her time. Let her inspire you to volunteer your time and services to the American Red Cross.

Frederick Douglass  — photo courtesy of PBS

American antislavery author and activist Frederick Douglass is said to have assisted American Red Cross founder Clara Barton to rally national support for the organization.

Douglass and Barton met after the Civil War and Douglass lent his support in 1882 to the Red Cross “Appeal to the American People” to raise money to assist victims of the Mississippi River floods.

His support for Barton and the Red Cross led him to become one of the founding members and his early participation in its creation is said to have paved the way for Steve D. Bullock to become the American Red Cross’s first African American Acting President in 1999.

Not only did Douglass lead the early civil rights movement, but he recognized the importance of rallying support and funds for the American Red Cross.

To honor the memory of Douglass and help people in your community who have been affected by a disaster donate to your local chapter.

Jerome H. Holland

Jerome H. Holland, the Red Cross’ first African-American Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Red Cross, led the organization’s dedication to the health and well-being of victims needing blood services.

The volunteer position of Chairman is the highest leading official position in the Red Cross. He served as Chairman, until he passed away in New York on January 13, 1985. During his time as Chairman, he facilitated a positive relationship with the Red Crescent. The Red Cross renamed the research and development lab in honor of Dr. Holland in 1987.

Dr. Holland spent his life his life helping other. He served on nine boards of major U.S. companies, researched for the Pew Memorial Trust, was the first African American to be awarded the Theodore Roosevelt Award in 1972, as well as serving as the first African-American Chairman of Planned Parenthood in 1968.

In honor of the many things Dr. Holland did to help others and his country, find out ways you can prepare to help others by taking a class and becoming certified in one of the American Red Cross’ many certification classes.

The American Red Cross is proud to honor the many humanitarians who helped make the organization what it is today. Do your part in honoring these noble people by visiting our website and seeing how you can help.

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