
During Black History Month, the American Red Cross honors a legacy of African American trailblazers who shattered ceilings and transformed its mission through groundbreaking service.
Since 1881, these change makers forged new paths in mission delivery, innovation, and community care, establishing a powerful legacy of excellence that reaches far beyond their time. From named to unnamed African American Red Crossers – whose courage and unwavering commitment revolutionized how we serve communities and continues to inspire us to reimagine what humanitarianism can achieve – we celebrate them. Here are some of their remarkable stories:
Frances Reed Elliott Davis broke barriers as the first African American to pass the District of Columbia’s DC’s advanced nursing exam and the first African American nurse accepted into the Red Cross Town and Country Nursing program in 1918.
As a school and home health nurse in rural communities, Frances treated patients, taught nutrition, and delivered babies when doctors were unavailable. When the Spanish flu swept across the U.S., impacting hundreds of thousands of people and creating a nursing shortage, Frances learned to drive a Model T to make house calls and provide quality healthcare to patients of all races. She also directed nurses' training in Tuskegee, AL, established the first training school for African American nurses in Michigan, and managed vital health clinics in Detroit. Davis’s unwavering commitment to service, even at personal risk, exemplifies the highest ideals of advancing equality, healthcare, and community service.
Dr. Charles R. Drew, a surgeon and pioneer of modern blood banking, was named the first medical director of the Red Cross National Blood Collection Program in 1941. His work with the Red Cross helped save the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians during World War II.
Dr. Drew’s efforts to increase the blood supply led to the use of bloodmobiles and other collection, preservation and distribution processes still used today. A champion for equality, Dr. Drew challenged the U.S. military’s policy of segregating blood plasma products by race. Through the collaborative support of civil rights organizations and the Red Cross, the government later discontinued this practice.
After leaving the Red Cross in 1942, Dr. Drew focused on training future surgeons at Howard University, educating over half of the nation's Black surgeons between 1941 and 1950—a legacy he considered his greatest contribution to medicine.
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator and civil rights leader, helped usher in a sustained presence of Black Americans in the mission of the Red Cross. She advocated for the desegregation of blood collection practices, hosted blood drives and encouraged African American women to staff canteens.
During World War II, Dr. Bethune served as director of the Florida Chapter of the Red Cross, helping to build bridges with the Black community. She advocated for employment opportunities, disaster relief and diverse representation on Red Cross regional and national boards.
Jesse O. Thomas, a trailblazing social worker and educator, became the first African American employee at the American Red Cross national headquarters in 1943. As special assistant to the vice president of domestic services, he spearheaded racial integration efforts, leading to increased employment of African Americans with advanced degrees across local Red Cross chapters and diverse representation on boards and committees.
Cicely Tyson, an Academy Award winning actress and humanitarian was first introduced to her love of acting while working as a secretary for the vice president at the Red Cross Greater New York in the early 1950s. During a Red Cross benefit performance of "The Crucible," Cicely was collecting donations and witnessed the profound influence of theater. This sparked her passion and set her on the path to becoming a legendary actress and philanthropist who mentored actors, served as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and founded the Dance Theatre of Harlem.
Steve D. Bullock, a transformative executive leader served the Red Cross from 1962 to 1999, rising from assistant field director to become the organization's first African American national acting president. During his tenure, Steve expanded disaster relief and healthcare services in Black and Latino communities, established regional branches in diverse D.C. neighborhoods, and led international relief efforts.
As Greater Cleveland's regional CEO, Steve oversaw the launch of Operation Save-A-Life in partnership with the City of Cleveland Fire Services, providing free smoke alarms to residents—a program that became the model for the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign
Black Excellence is in Our Blood
Commemorate Black History Month by rolling up a sleeve to give blood or putting on a Red Cross vest to volunteer. Make an appointment to donate blood on the Red Cross Blood Donor App or by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood. Sign up to become a Red Cross volunteer at RedCross.org/Volunteer or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma from Jan. 27 – Feb. 28 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Additional details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/Flurry.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Take a class and be ready to respond if an emergency strikes.