Women in the Red Cross
Celebrating Women's History Month at the Greater New York Red Cross! Experience the stories of some truly inspiring women leaders.
Even before joining the Red Cross as a volunteer, Clarisse Smitas had already well established her commitment to humanitarian work. She spent years working with non-governmental organizations in countries including Africa, Thailand and Myanmar. Smitas’ husband, who has worked for the United Nations for several years, shares passion for humanitarian work.
Olivia Haunso first fell in love with volunteering on a month-long trip to a Tibetan refugee camp in Nepal.
“I helped them build a wall to prevent flooding in the camp,” recounted Olivia. “I taught English at the schools and painted the houses in the village. I talked to a lot of refugees. It was really nice.”
Since that trip, Olivia has dedicated herself to putting a smile on people’s faces.
When Alison Goldfrank was nine years old, she arrived home excited to see her sister and two cats. Instead, she saw all her neighbors outside of her apartment building in the Upper East Side. The fire department was there. The doorman told them they could not go inside because of a fire.
Alison found her sister outside in their mom’s sweatpants because of the rush in which they had to evacuate. Although she found her cats, Mischief and Pussywillow, they sadly did not survive due to smoke inhalation.
Grace Young, a 74-year-old nurse and former teacher who has volunteered with the Red Cross for more than 30 years, knows what it means to help people in need. As a new Red Cross volunteer and a fellow nurse, I was excited to sit with Grace one afternoon after her shift where she works as a per diem school nurse. We met virtually, with her wearing her powder blue and white nurses’ uniform, and she told me all about her newest accomplishment: she is finally licensed as a Registered Nurse on March 7th, 2024.
Carol was presented with the Harriet Demarest Congeniality Award for her ability to make new volunteers and blood donors always feel comfortable in the canteen area. For the past four years, she has volunteered for multiple shifts at every blood drive. She is always ready with kind words for everyone.
Mary, who was given the Betty Rasmussen Service Above Self Award, started volunteering with the Red Cross at Keller Army Hospital in 2019 after retiring. “I work mostly in the inpatient pharmacy looking for outdated or expired medications and removing them from circulation,” she said. “I help make the best of things that need to be replaced.” She also performs blood draws on Cadet R-Day (R-Day or Reception Day, is the day when new cadets report to the U.S. Military Academy and officially begin their cadet basic training.)
Mary demonstrates unwavering dedication to the American Red Cross and the West Point community. She is thankful to the Red Cross for celebrating her contribution.
Barbara shares the same sentiments. She said, “It gives me another purpose for my life. That means all my hard work just pays off and people appreciate it.” She received the Jean MacArthur Volunteer of the Year Award for her dedication to the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross. She serves West Point as a therapy dog handler for Hudson Valley Paws with a Cause.
Liz Barker (right) coordinates with a fellow Red Crosser at the office in 2015.
ROLE WITH RED CROSS: Senior Disaster Program Manager, Long Island and Metro New York North
YEARS WITH RED CROSS: 2007 to 2022
CURRENT ROLE/ORGANIZATION: Director of Affiliate Network and Information & Referral Services, Tourette Association of America
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A RED CROSSER?
“To me, being a Red Crosser is something that once it gets into your blood, it changes you forever. There is nothing like the feeling of accomplishment and gratitude you get as when you are able to mobilize an entire team of volunteers to do lifesaving work. Then the relief when they show up to do it again the next day. Being a Red Crosser means what you do will be remembered for far longer than the time you spent on scene. To paraphrase Maya Angelou, people may forget what you said to them, but they'll never forget how you made them feel, and Red Crossers make people feel cared for when everything else may feel hopeless. I'm so very proud of the time I spent as a full-time Red Crosser and the incredible team I had the good fortune of working with. I look forward to being a volunteer when my little one is old enough to sleep through the night without needing me.”
Julie Blanciak (left) serves as a mass care volunteer for a New York Road Runners event in 2009.
ROLE WITH RED CROSS: Mass Care, Volunteer Responder
YEARS WITH RED CROSS: 2005 to 2010
CURRENT ROLE/ORGANIZATION: Individual Assistance Branch Chief, FEMA Region 2
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A RED CROSSER?
“Being a Red Crosser means that you embrace and embody the Fundamental Principles in all that you do. I'm fortunate to be able to continue working in the field of disaster response and recovery, but even as a government employee these values continue to be the foundation for how I lead and serve.”
Takia Chandler (right) at the Red Cross regional headquarters in Manhattan in 2017.
ROLE WITH RED CROSS: Emergency Communications Center Manager, Emergency Communications Center Representative, Financial Statistical Information Management Team Member, and Lodging Liaison
YEARS WITH RED CROSS: 2005 to 2016, 2019 to 2021
CURRENT ROLE/ORGANIZATION: Compliance Investigations Manager, New York City Housing Authority
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A RED CROSSER?
“Being a Red Crosser to me means always having that Red Cross with you, it’s always there and so why not. Once a Red Crosser, always a Red Crosser.”
Lih-Fan Chang (second from left) stands with friends at a recent event.
ROLE WITH RED CROSS: Senior Disaster Program Manager for NYC - Volunteer Partner, Financial Statistical Information Management Team Member, Home Fire Campaign Event Manager, Manhattan Disaster Action Team, among other roles
YEARS WITH RED CROSS: 2016 to 2024
CURRENT ROLE/ORGANIZATION: Healthcare Facilities Lead, Bureau of Immunization, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A RED CROSSER?
“Being a Red Crosser means being able give back to the community and contribute to society in a way that's different from work and making lifelong friends along the way!”
Figure 2: Johanna Conroy (left) at a joint training exercise with NYC Emergency Management and the Red Cross in 2014.
ROLE(S) WITH RED CROSS: Disaster Action Team Volunteer, Volunteer Coordinator in Disaster Services, Government Liaison
YEARS WITH RED CROSS: 2001 to 2004
CURRENT ROLE/ORGANIZATION: Assistant Commissioner, Interagency Coordination, New York City Emergency Management
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A RED CROSSER?
“Being a Red Crosser gives a person the opportunity to help in a tangible way in their community when people need them the most and to see the impact that help gives during a time of crisis.”
Maritza Espinosa (left) on a disaster response in 2016.
ROLE WITH RED CROSS: Case Manager, Deputy Director, Disaster Program Manager
YEARS WITH RED CROSS: 2008 to 2021
CURRENT ROLE/ORGANIZATION: Voluntary Agency Liaison, FEMA; Artist; Published Author; Business Owner
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A RED CROSSER?
“Years ago, a Red Crosser made a great impression upon me at a time of crisis when my home burned down and my family lost everything. It was a devastating time in my life. This Red Cross caseworker took my case. Her compassion, care and expertise made a devastating experience bearable and kickstarted my recovery. Inspired by her, I pledged to join the Red Cross one day to replicate that impact on others' lives. Years later, I fulfilled that promise, spending 13 years with the Red Cross, making a difference in the lives of hundreds of families. I am eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to have made such a meaningful impact. Making a difference is everything.”
Anastasia Hannah at a disaster response in Queens in December 2012. Photo by Nikki Baxendale / American Red Cross
ROLE WITH RED CROSS: Disaster Program Manager, Response Manager, Emergency Communications Center Supervisor, and Safe and Well Manager
YEARS WITH RED CROSS: 2007 to 2017
CURRENT ROLE/ORGANIZATION: Community Coordinator, Alternative Enforcement Program, NYC Housing Preservation & Development
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A RED CROSSER?
“I am reminded of a ‘Red String exercise’ during a Bronx Disaster Action Team engagement event led by a volunteer, Francie Sue. The Red String represents the invisible tie that binds people together through destiny. This exercise gave us all the time to really think about what the organization meant to us personally.
“For me, the Red String first touched my life as a young girl living on a military base in Germany. The American Red Cross helped support my family following the death of my grandfather, getting word to my father and helping with the unexpected travel and funeral expenses. As a young person, the Red Cross offered me the opportunity to volunteer as a candy striper at the hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. It gave me valuable experience and fostered my lifelong commitment to caring for others and being of service. As an adult, I was drawn back to the Red Cross as a staff person. The Community Relations role offered me the opportunity to work with the most amazing and devoted people in Greater New York. I know we made a difference for hundreds of New Yorkers. And I have gained lifelong friends among the staff and volunteers.
“Through each part of my Red String journey, I have learned and witnessed the value of this organization and the depths of which it touches the lives of others. For me, the American Red Cross stands for opportunity. Each day when a Red Crosser steps into their role, they are presented with an opportunity to change the life of another human being for the better. I am extremely proud and grateful for getting to play a part in the Red Cross's mission.”
Amanda Hayde at a Red Cross response in 2009 while serving with NYC Emergency Management
ROLES WITH RED CROSS: Disaster Responder, State Relations Director
YEARS WITH RED CROSS: 2006 to 2008, 2013 to 2015
CURRENT ROLE/ORGANIZATION(S): Operations Director, Affordable Housing Development.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A RED CROSSER?
“Being a Red Crosser means bringing skills and compassion to anyone in a time of crisis. These can be local, national and even worldwide, the Red Cross teaches us to step up to the challenge and put others before yourself.”
Nicole Marks (center) at a disaster response in Queens on Christmas Eve in 2014. Photo by Marko Kokic / American Red Cross
ROLES WITH RED CROSS: Volunteer Disaster Action Team Member, three-term AmeriCorps Member, and Emergency Communications Center Representative
YEARS WITH RED CROSS: 2011-2016
CURRENT ROLE/ORGANIZATION(S): Director of Training, Exercises, and Evaluation, Emergency Management Team, MTA; Adjunct Instructor, John Jay College and Adelphi University.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A RED CROSSER?
“Being a Red Crosser means that helping, especially in the darkest or toughest moments, can be simply a hand on the shoulder, a warm meal, or a Mickey Mouse toy. The Red Crosser is the comfort in the chaos.”
Jennifer Pearsall (left) travels with fellow Red Crossers in 2015.
ROLE WITH RED CROSS: Home Fire Campaign Training Lead, Disaster Services Volunteer, AmeriCorps National Preparedness Response Corps
YEARS WITH RED CROSS: 2014 - 2022
CURRENT ROLE/ORGANIZATION: Emergency Manager
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A RED CROSSER?
“It means being able to walk into a room, see a stranger with an American Red Cross logo on and immediately strike up a conversation like lifelong friends. Being a Red Crosser means being a part of a large, eclectic family that will support you both in and outside of your volunteer role(s).”
Riana Segerson (right) with fellow Red Crossers in March 2017 below the New York City skyline.
ROLE WITH RED CROSS: AmeriCorps Member, Response Manager, Disaster Program Manager, Disaster Recovery Supervisor, Volunteer
YEARS WITH RED CROSS: 2014 to 2015, 2016 to 2020
CURRENT ROLE/ORGANIZATION: Acting Senior Portfolio Manager, AmeriCorps
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A RED CROSSER?
“Being a Red Crosser means being of service to those in need. To give your time and energy knowing that you are doing good work, and to alleviate the suffering of others.”