In October 2024, women from across the globe gathered in Geneva, Switzerland, for the International Council of Tiffany Circles, including six Tiffany Circle LA members and family. Pictured left to right: Cindy Tran, Jennifer McCormick, Meloni Hallock, Janet Lang, Renee Fraser, Josie Tong and Meloni's grandaughter Midori Shelton. Photo byPascal Bitz/Red Cross.
By Emily Hache/American Red Cross
In October of 2024, the International Council of Tiffany Circles convened in Geneva, Switzerland, bringing together women from around the world, dedicated to strengthening support for the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and the fundamental principles as the leading humanitarian organization in the world.
Janet Lang, Meloni Hallock and her granddaughter Midori Shelton were among those representing the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region Tiffany Circle. The convention highlighted the importance of the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as well as the history and legacy of the organization from its founding in 1863.
Janet, a founding member of LA’s Tiffany Circle, reflected on her experience, “It was great to be with so many women from all over the world. The speakers, the people in the audience, everyone—we all were there because we care about humanity and want to reduce suffering.”
Highlights of the convention included a visit to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, a virtual reality experience about Red Cross work in Colombia and a gala celebration. Meloni recalls, “There were a lot of different places that we saw, but probably the most impressive one for me personally was where the Geneva Conventions were signed. The room where it happened.”
Tiffany Circle members learned about the challenges ICRC frontline workers face and the importance of impartiality while providing humanitarian aid. Janet was especially moved by the story of a nurse from Australia who volunteered to serve in Gaza.
“She left two children and a husband because she really believed in helping people. She worked with children, not only healing their physical wounds, but their emotional wounds. To hear her story, to see the slides of these children and to talk about the danger she faced, these people really do work in very dangerous settings.”
After Geneva, Meloni, along with her granddaughter Midori, retraced the historic origins of the Red Cross on a Tiffany Circle excursion to Solferino, Italy. This trip marked Meloni and Midori’s second Tiffany Circle convention and their first pilgrimage to Solferino.
For Meloni, the visit to Solferino was an opportunity to experience firsthand the legacy of Henry Dunant, who founded the Red Cross, his response to the terrible suffering he witnessed after the Battle of Solferino in 1859.
The trip reminded her of what a single person can achieve. “The power of one is amazing. This one person [Dunant] persisted and was able to convince others. Sometimes you have to help people understand that they have great power and great ability to do extraordinary things. We can't do everything, but we can do something.”
Janet, Meloni and Midori joined Tiffany Circle to support the Red Cross mission to prepare for and respond to disasters. The annual commitment from members provides much needed continuity of funding for the most essential Red Cross programs, which include Disaster Cycle Services, Service to the Armed Forces, Training, blood collections and International Services.
Meloni explains why her membership in Tiffany Circle is important to her, “Now that I’ve retired from my career, my goal is to be an exceptional ancestor, not for just my grandchildren or great grandchildren. I want their great, great grandchildren to also have the Red Cross.”
For Janet, the trip to Geneva solidified the importance of her membership in Tiffany Circle. “Right now, there are 400 million people who need assistance due to conflict, climate, economic instability, migration and displacement. Red Cross is responding to that and the needs for funding are growing. That’s where the Tiffany Circle comes in, as we face more and more challenges.”
Janet and Meloni left Geneva inspired by the collective power of women building a resilient Red Cross. To learn more about Tiffany Circle, please visit: redcross.org/local/california/los-angeles/ways-to-donate/tiffany-circle
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.
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