African American Leadership in the American Red Cross

From the beginning, African Americans have played an important role in the mission of the American Red Cross. The time, money, and blood of well-known and not-so-well-known African Americans in the Red Cross have created a solid path for others to follow. The accomplishments of three remarkable individuals who paved the way by achieving recognition and prominence through service are highlighted in the following pages.

Dr. Charles Orr (1910-1999)--Member, Board of Governors, 1979-85; Recipient of the Harriman Award, 1985

Dr. Charles Orr's long association with the American Red Cross began in Alabama in the l930s where he was an early supporter of Junior Red Cross activities for black youth. He targeted all tenth graders in rural Madison County to take a Red Cross first aid course to help reduce the number of injuries on the farms. Later, Dr. Orr organized blood drives to encourage African American donations. He was also a pioneer in advocating the removal of racial designations on blood labels. His close association with the Durham County Red Cross Chapter in North Carolina resulted in the hiring of two African American college interns who helped to bring chapter services into minority neighborhoods.

In l979, Dr. Orr was appointed to the American Red Cross Board of Governors; he was reappointed for a second term in l982. For five decades, Dr. Orr worked diligently to ensure that minorities in the Red Cross were equally employed and recruited and that they were given a chance to serve locally, nationally, and internationally. He felt that the Red Cross could change long-standing perceptions about minorities. In l985, Dr. Orr became the first African American to receive the Harriman Award, the highest award given to a volunteer in the American Red Cross.

Dr. Jerome H. Holland (1916-1985): American Red Cross Chairman, 1979-85, Visits Disaster Site in Wichita Falls, Texas, 1979

Dr. Jerome H. Holland was the first African American chairman of the American Red Cross. Dr. Holland was appointed by President Jimmy Carter in 1979. The chairman, the highest officer in the organization, is a volunteer and presides over the 50-member Board of Governors.

Dr. Holland was born January 9, l9l6, in Auburn, New York. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Cornell University in l939 and l94l, respectively. While an undergraduate, he was chosen an All-American Football End for two years. Later, he was elected to the National Football Hall of Fame. During World War II, he was director of personnel for the Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Company of Pennsylvania. In l950, he earned a Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Dr. Holland was an educator at various institutions of higher learning for nearly 30 years, and he served as the president of both Delaware State College and Virginia's Hampton Institute. A prolific researcher and published author, he wrote on black employment and residency patterns, the desegregation of schools, counseling and guidance of black youth, and blacks in higher education. His last book was entitled Black Opportunity.

From l970 to l972, Dr. Holland was the U.S. ambassador to Sweden. Beginning in 1973, he served on the boards of directors of 11 major U.S. corporations. He was the first African American to become a member of the New York Stock Exchange.

Dr. Holland served as a member of the American Red Cross Board of Governors from l964 to l970. He was re-elected to the board in l973 and in l977. He served as vice chairman of the Board from l978 until his appointment as chairman in l979. He continued to serve as chairman until his death on January 13, l985. On February 23, 1987, a 110,000 square foot facility for biomedical research and development opened in Rockville, Maryland. The research facility was named the Jerome H. Holland Laboratory for the Biomedical Sciences in honor of the American Red Cross chairman who took the lead in consolidating the growing laboratory operations of American Red Cross Blood Services programs.

Gwendolyn T. Jackson, National Chairman of Volunteers, 1989-1991; Member, Board of Governors, 1992-1998

Gwendolyn T. Jackson has served in local and national leadership positions in the American Red Cross. A native of Milwaukee, she served as the chairman of the board and the executive committee of the Greater Milwaukee Chapter. In l989, Mrs. Jackson became the first African American to be appointed national chairman of volunteers. The office of national chairman of volunteers was established in l953 as the second highest volunteer position. When Mrs. Jackson assumed her appointment in l989, significant changes were occurring in the world of volunteerism. Between l98l and 1985, there was a 19 percent decrease in volunteering among singles. To respond to these and other changes in volunteerism, the American Red Cross office of the national chairman of volunteers completed a study in l988 that looked at volunteer issues relevant to the organization. Who would be the volunteers in the future was of particular concern because of demographic and social changes, including the loss of the "leisure woman" who had been the traditional mainstay of the volunteer force. The Volunteer 2000 Study provided a blueprint for future growth, which Mrs. Jackson implemented. The Red Cross remains firmly committed to the principle of volunteer service, which enables it to accomplish its mission and provide services in a cost-effective, far-reaching, and compassionate manner.

Following her term as national chairman of volunteers, Gwendolyn Jackson was elected as a member of the Board of Governors in 1992 and was re-elected to a second term in l995.

Steve D. Bullock: American Red Cross Acting President, January 1999 to July 1999.

Steve Bullock became the first African American chief executive officer of the American Red Cross when he was asked to serve as Red Cross acting president in 1999. During his tenure, Mr. Bullock traveled extensively in this country and abroad, increasing visibility and support for the Red Cross. He visited American Red Cross international humanitarian relief operations in Honduras and Macedonia, disaster operations in Oklahoma and Louisiana and more than 30 Red Cross chapters and Blood Services regions throughout the United States. As acting president, he focused the attention and energy of the organization on five initiatives designed to better enable the American Red Cross to serve the American people: values, cultural diversity, youth affirmation, chapter development and chapter information technology. Mr. Bullock also hosted the historic 50th anniversary celebration of the Geneva Conventions and showcased American Red Cross innovative biomedical research efforts at the Holland Lab.

With 37 years of American Red Cross experience, Mr. Bullock was able to lead the organization through a transitional period following the departure of Elizabeth Dole and prior to the selection of Dr. Bernadine Healy. Prior to his appointment as acting president, Mr. Bullock was Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Cleveland Chapter, Executive Director of the St. Paul Chapter and Manager of the Minnesota-Wisconsin Division. Mr. Bullock held several national leadership positions throughout his career. In 1988, he was named chairman of the President's Advisory Committee, a group of senior Red Cross field executives, which counsels top national Red Cross management on issues facing the organization. He headed the 1996 National American Red Cross campaign, and in 1997 he was awarded the President's Award for Employee Excellence in Management for the American Red Cross.