It’s Women’s History Month! And to commemorate it, the Red Cross archives will feature images from the collection portraying women and their diverse roles in the organization. Since the founding of the American Red Cross by Clara Barton in 1881, women have played an important part in advancing the organization’s programs and services. The second installment features World War II volunteers and women providing Red Cross services in Korea and Vietnam.
Washington, DC, June 1942—These volunteer production workers of the American Red Cross prepared over 300,000 kits containing small articles for the comfort of the men sailing to foreign ports. The kits contained soap, writing materials, shoe laces, playing cards, a polishing cloth, and a paperback novel. Photo by F. Fusco
Korea 1955—Red Cross Clubmobile staff serving coffee to men of the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Division, during field maneuvers. Photo by Dorothy Moore
Phu Loi, South Vietnam, June 1968—A cold drink for a hot day is handed to a soldier by Red Cross Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) staff. Red Cross spent long arduous days bringing informal recreation programs to isolated units in South Vietnam. Photo by Mark Stevens