Jane Delano Society

Membership | Scholarship

If you are a nurse, or simply someone interested in healthcare issues, then you might be interested in joining this society.

The Jane Delano Society has two main functions--to ensure active nursing involvement at all levels of the Red Cross and to preserve artifacts that document the history of Red Cross nursing. The society was formed in 1990 by the National Nursing Advisory Committee, now the National Nursing Committee, of the American Red Cross, and is named in honor of Jane Delano, the founder of the American Red Cross Nursing Corps.

Jane Delano Society Purpose and Activities
The Jane Delano Society is designed to provide a forum for the nurse working within the Red Cross as well as all persons interested in nursing issues. The goal of the society is to advocate both within the organization and with the public to promote the professionalism of nursing, to assist with recruitment of nurses in both paid and volunteer positions, and to contribute to policy deliberations regarding the resolution of critical nursing issues affecting healthcare in the nation. The purpose of the Jane Delano Society is

• To preserve the past heritage, the present and the future of nurses in the American Red Cross
• To promote the contributions of the nurse in the American Red Cross
• To provide a forum for individuals who support and believe in the creed of the American Red Cross nurse

Jane Delano
Jane Delano was born March 12, 1862 and grew up during a time when few careers and even fewer executive positions were open to women. Miss. Delano chose to become a nurse and graduated from Bellevue Training School for Nurses in New York City in 1886. Her interest in the Red Cross began during the Spanish American War of 1888 when she served as a volunteer in the recruiting of nurses. In 1909 Miss. Delano was appointed superintendent of the Army Nurse Corps as well as Chairman of the National Committee on Red Cross Nursing Service. From the founding of the Red Cross Nursing Service in 1909 until 1917 when the United States entered World War I, Miss. Delano created programs of powerful significance in American life. Following the Armistice in November 1918, Miss. Delano toured Europe inspecting military hospitals. She died in France following an infection in 1919 at the age of 57. Miss. Delano is interred in Arlington National Cemetery.

Membership in the Jane Delano Society
Membership, which costs $25 a year, is open to all nurses and persons interested in healthcare issues. As a member, you will receive a membership pin, newsletters, individual member voting privileges, participation in society functions at a reduced rate, and recognition for your personal commitment to the nurse and the American Red Cross. For more information about becoming a member, contact Donna Martin by e-mail at dmartin@securbar.com. For application download, please click here (.doc file, 45.0Kb.)

Jane Delano Society Scholarship
The American Red Cross Jane Delano Society Scholarship Fund was established in 2001 in order to advance nursing as a career option and to promote the involvement of young nurses in the Red Cross. The Society will award its fifth and sixthNorman Augustine $1000 scholarship in May 2008 to two nursing students who have contributed volunteer service to a Red Cross unit. Nominations are due by Monday, April 7, 2008.

Eligibility

• Must have contributed volunteer service to a Red Cross unit during the past five years.
• Current enrollment in an Associate Degree, Diploma, or Baccalaureate program preparing students for Registered Nurse licensure, or an RN to BSN completion program.
• Must have at least one semester, or quarter, left before graduation.

Required Documentation

• Application which includes a one page personal statement from student.
• Letter of endorsement from Red Cross Unit (chapter, Blood Services region, or SAF station) leadership.
• Letter of endorsement from College/School of Nursing saying that the applicant is in good academic standing and verifying that student is enrolled (attach form to application).

Selection

Scholarship Selection Committee comprised of five members

• Jane Delano Society Chair designates three members including the Scholarship Selection Committee Chair.
• National Chair of Nursing or her/his designee.
• National Student Nurses Association board of directors representative or Red Cross student nurse volunteer selected by Jane Delano Society Chair.

The recipients of the 2008 Norman Augustine scholarship from the Jane Delano Society will be announced on CrossNet and on the American Red Cross Jane Delano Society Web site. Relevant Red Cross units will be notified of a recipient in their jurisdiction.