From the bold vision of our founder, Clara Barton, to the incredible women who continue to shape our mission today, the American Red Cross has always been powered by humanitarians leading with compassion, strength and purpose. For more than 140 years, women have been at the core of everything we do — as volunteers, donors, staff and leaders.
Your dedication fuels our lifesaving work and brings hope to communities across the country. Whether you're just beginning your journey with us or have been part of our mission for years, we celebrate you. Your voice, your compassion and your heart make a difference for those facing crises every day.
300,000+ volunteers
support the Red Cross every year
2.2 million+ people
give lifesaving blood anually
65,000+ disaster responses
each year
130 million+ people helped globally
each year by our disease prevention
and disaster programs
480,000+ services provided annually
to the military community
6.6 million+ people receive training
in CPR, water safety and other
lifesaving skills each year
"And as a kid, I really didn't understand much about disaster operations, but I knew that the Red Cross was the organization that helped people when people needed it the most."
"The American Red Cross has given me more than I can every give back in service. My volunteer work with the Red Cross has given me purpose and helped me find my passions."
"I find that so many people don't know the importance of donating blood...the people who donated blood—they are my heroes."
“I want to be someone that anyone can come up to and ask about International Humanitarian Law and how they could help...My involvement in the Red Cross made me more motivated to study for my dream career.”
“I find it very rewarding to donate blood without knowing who will receive it or where it will go... Last year, I donated platelets, and three units were distributed to three different hospitals. It was really cool to see that one donation helped three different people.”
“The way you see life when you help others fills you physically, mentally and spiritually. To all those who wish and have the time to be part of this great organization that is the Red Cross, do not think twice and offer your time as you can.”
Clara Barton establishes the American Red Cross and serves as its first president. She leads disaster relief efforts and advocates for the U.S. to ratify the Geneva Convention.
Under Barton’s leadership, the Red Cross receives its first congressional charter, formalizing its role in disaster relief and humanitarian aid.
Jane Delano, founder of the Red Cross Nursing Service, begins to volunteer full time to help increase the number of Red Cross nurses.
Women serve as nurses, ambulance drivers and volunteers. The Red Cross enrolls over 20,000 nurses and millions of women contribute through sewing circles and fundraising.
Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator and civil rights leader, was the first African American woman to head a federal agency — the National Youth Administration. She helped shape national youth policy and advanced Black representation in the American Red Cross during World War II.
Janet Wilson becomes the first National Director of the new Office of Volunteers that brings workers together from different services under “one Red Cross."
Gwen T. Jackson is the first African American to be appointed to the national chair of volunteers. Her work provided a blueprint for the future growth of the Red Cross volunteer workforce.
Elizabeth Dole becomes first woman president of the Red Cross since Clara Barton.
Bonnie McElveen-Hunter is appointed as the first woman Chair of the American Red Cross.
Gail McGovern, a former AT&T and Fidelity executive, becomes president and CEO of the American Red Cross.
Kate Forbes, a longtime American Red Crosser, is elected president of the International Federation of the Red Cross.
Our mission is powered by compassionate volunteers and generous donors — and women have always been at the heart of that impact. Inspired by Clara Barton’s legacy and the many women who’ve followed in her footsteps, we invite you to be part of the Red Cross story.
Whether you give your time, share your voice or offer your support in some other way, your involvement brings comfort and hope to those who need it most — in your community and around the world.
