Partners in One Red Cross

In January 1942, the U.S. government rescinded its order that prevented blacks from donating blood for the military. However, blood was labeled by race during the war so that a wounded man could request blood from a donor of his own race. This practice continued after the American Red Cross established its civilian blood program in 1948. But in September l950, the Board of Governors Committee of the National Blood Program mandated "that racial designation on donor cards should be withdrawn."

Dramatic shifts also occurred in the Red Cross attitude toward volunteerism. A unified volunteer service replaced the individual service corps. The perceived elitism of specific branches of service dissolved into a more democratic and unified volunteer organization in the 1950s. In l964, Chairman Roland E. Harriman successfully proposed a plan at the American Red Cross national convention to end all distinctions among Red Cross uniformed volunteers. He sought greater unity through the creation of "one Red Cross."

Serving Others, Saving Lives (1956)

Edythe H. Coleman was a leadership volunteer with the American Red Cross District of Columbia Chapter motor service in l956 when she received the news of a tragic church-supper fire near Baltimore, Maryland, that killed 10 and injured hundreds. She promptly responded by transporting 200 pints of whole blood and 100 pints of serum albumin to hospitals in Baltimore. Mrs. Coleman's prompt response and dedicated professionalism prevented the loss of additional lives.