Photos courtesy Penobscot Marine Museum (1920). Joanna Carver Colcord of New York, led an expedition of social workers, librarians and nurses from the American Red Cross to the U.S. Virgin Islands in the summer of 1920 to support the establishment of various social welfare programs including school nursing activities and public libraries.
The month of March is a meaningful time for the American Red Cross of the U.S. Virgin Islands. March has been recognized as Red Cross Month by Presidential Proclamation since 1943, and it coincides with Virgin Islands History Month. It is indeed a special time to take a look back at historical events and people who have shaped our path.
Our History – The Early Years
With more than a century of compassionate service, the Red Cross of the U.S. Virgin Islands traces its history back to 1917, the same year the U.S. purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark.
The first local Chapter, then known as the Santa Cruz Chapter, was chartered on December 12, 1917. The name was formally changed to the St. Croix Chapter in 1963. A Chapter dedicated to the islands of St. Thomas and St. John was chartered May 9, 1918, expanding the service area to the three islands.
Within a few years, the two Chapters experienced phenomenal growth with more than 1,000 members as well as children who enrolled in the Junior Red Cross!
In the summer of 1920, an expedition of social workers, librarians and nurses from the American Red Cross on the mainland traveled to the recently acquired U.S. Virgin Islands which led to the establishment of nursing programs in local schools and the establishment of the Territory’s first library – St. Thomas Public Library – that still operates today. Other Red Cross activities during this time included recreational work at St. Thomas for the men of the fleet.
Humanitarian disaster relief activities soon followed when Hurricane Gale passed directly over the Territory on August 28, 1924, devastating the island of St. John and causing at least 100 casualties. The Red Cross Courier, the official weekly journal of the American Red Cross at that time, read, “St. Thomas Chapter Rushes Into Relief Action, Aided by Naval Authorities.”
Growing and Adapting
Later in the 20th Century, the Red Cross expanded beyond military support, disaster relief and other human suffering, working to enhance community resilience and help people prepare for emergencies.
Volunteers like Wilda Davis, a full-time teacher with more than 30 years of service to the Red Cross, continued the long-standing tradition of bringing help and hope to fellow Virgin Islanders in their time of need.
“I’ve been involved in a whole lot! Being able to assist individuals and have them look up to you because you’ve provided assistance means a lot,” said Davis.
As she noted, volunteers wear many hats in the organization. Davis, herself, supports operations, logistics and fleet while helping to coordinate disaster preparedness, relief and recovery programs.
With another hurricane season coming, her focus is to educate community members on safety precautions before a storm, and if the worst happens, to be there after the storm passes.
“Residents will seek service and we assist them in any way we can. If we can’t help, we can steer anyone in the direction they can be assisted.”
Davis plans to be a volunteer for as long as she possibly can. “It has been a learning experience for me and has provided me with growth.”
She enthusiastically encourages others to give of their time and talents. “It’s just immensely rewarding to give back to the community.”
Today and Looking Ahead
When COVID-19 posed unforeseen global challenges and forced day-to-day businesses to evolve around virtual and technology, the Red Cross was well-positioned. For the past few years, the V.I .Chapter had been holding inter-island meetings and trainings virtually. So, when the transition to virtual operations happened, the mission continued without pause.
Beyond the current virtual environment, the team finds word-of-mouth is still one of its most powerful forms of communication. “You do one good deed and it spreads like wildfire,” said Disaster Program Manager Lily Alvarez. “It’s small (the islands) -- everyone knows everybody -- so it works when you’re out there doing a good deed.”
Today, the Red Cross of USVI is preparing to meet the next crisis head on while also conducting numerous programs in preparing the community for disasters. National Red Cross programs such as the Home Fire (Safety) Campaign, Youth Disaster Preparedness and Be Red Cross Ready continue in a modified format to help educate V.I. communities. Staff and volunteers continue to hold trainings, exercises and meetings in preparation for any unforeseen disaster to arrive on local shores.
To maintain this momentum while moving to a grander scale, we need you! The American Red Cross is an organization for the people, by the people. The backbone of the Red Cross is our volunteers who represent 97% of Red Cross workforce on the islands. Without their dedication, our mission would not be possible.
Our need for volunteers is constant and continues to evolve. New volunteers can expect to gain expertise that will be useful in day-to day life as well as learn new skills while gaining the satisfaction of helping their own community, their own neighbors.
Many hands make light work! Consider becoming a Red Crosser today! Apply online at redcross.org/volunteer or call 340-778-5104 (St. Croix) or 340-774-0375 (St. Thomas).
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