Diverse Contributions Make Us Stronger

A legacy of powerful leadership and support.

Since the founding of the American Red Cross in 1881, distinguished leaders have helped shape who we are as an organization today. Throughout our history, notable diverse people have helped pave the way in our critical mission delivery – ensuring we are always there in times of need.

Individuals of African American, Asian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American descent have led our organization as past and present members of our leadership and created legacies as employees, volunteers, donors and partners.

Learn more below about some of our diverse leaders, and how they have supported the mission of the Red Cross.

Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass was a leading spokesman of African Americans in the 1800s and friend of Clara Barton. He often offered encouragement when Clara sought advice and support in her efforts to gain U.S. acceptance as a member nation of the global Red Cross network.

1921. Washington, DC. American Red Cross National Headquarters 17th Street Building, 17th and D Streets, NW.

Ruth Hills Wadsworth*

Ruth Hills Wadsworth was the first citizen of the Mescalero Apache tribe who served as a Red Cross nurse overseas during World War I.

*no picture available

Frances Reed Elliot Davis

Frances Reed Elliott Davis was the first officially registered African American nurse to be accepted into the Red Cross Nursing Service, where she provided medical care for the families of service members during World War I.

Lula Owl Gloyne

Lula Owl Gloyne was the first registered nurse from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and served as a Red Cross nurse during World War I, and helped establish the first hospital for the citizens of Qualla Boundary.

Mary McLeod Bethune

Mary McLeod Bethune became the first African American to lead a federal agency. As an advisor to President Roosevelt, she attended Red Cross wartime conferences to discuss African American representation within the organization. As a result, the “Committee on Red Cross Activities with Respect to the Negro” was formed. She was instrumental in establishing a relationship between the Red Cross and the African American community.

Dr. Charles R. Drew

Dr. Charles R. Drew was an African American surgeon, educator and scientist who laid the groundwork for today’s modern blood donation program through his innovative work in blood banking. He is well known for the introduction of bloodmobiles, which were trucks containing refrigerators of stored blood that improved reach and accessibility to potential donors in the community. The Red Cross blood program started in 1940, under the leadership of Dr. Drew, who became the first medical director for the Red Cross in 1941.

Learn more about his work with the Red Cross.

Dr. Jerome Holland

Dr. Jerome Holland was an African American educator, former U.S. Ambassador to Sweden, and served as a former president of Delaware State College and Hampton Institute. Dr. Holland was appointed chairman of the Red Cross Board of Governors in 1979 and was reappointed in 1982. The world-renowned Holland Research Laboratory in Maryland is named after Dr. Holland.

Gwen T. Jackson

Gwen T. Jackson is an African American human resource professional and Red Cross volunteer who was the first African American to be appointed to the national chair of volunteers in 1988. Her work provided a blueprint for the future growth of the Red Cross volunteer workforce.

Steve Bullock

Steve Bullock was the former CEO of the Red Cross Greater Cleveland Chapter and was the first African American to serve as acting president of the Red Cross in 1999.

Lois Laster

Lois Laster was one of the few African American women to serve during World War II, directing Red Cross recreation clubs for African American service members in England and Austria, and later, the first integrated club in Korea. In addition to volunteering weekly with the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces department at Red Cross national headquarters, Lois was a founding member and the president of the American Red Cross Overseas Association.

Shirley Hines-Atkins

Shirley Hines-Atkins spent more than 40 years helping military members, veterans and their families through the Red Cross in the U.S. and overseas. She began her Red Cross career as a Donut Dollie in Korea and Vietnam. Throughout her Red Cross career, she served in a variety of capacities around the world to support the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces mission.

Jesse O. Thomas

Jesse O. Thomas was an African American educator who opened the Field Secretary Office of the National Urban League in Atlanta in 1919 and was the first person of color to work in an exclusively white organization. He was recruited to work with the Red Cross in 1943 due to his success with the National Urban League and was the first African American to be hired at the Red Cross. In his role, Thomas led the racial integration of the Red Cross, paving the way for African Americans to work at the Red Cross.

Learn more about his work with the Red Cross.

Our Commitment to Diversity

The people served by the Red Cross – as well as our volunteers, employees, donors, partners and suppliers – represent different cultures, racial and ethnic backgrounds, ages, lifestyles, abilities, beliefs and philosophies. Embracing this diversity is critical to effectively delivering our lifesaving mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.

Since 1992, the Red Cross has had a formalized plan and commitment to diversity and inclusion. Throughout our history, we’ve remained steadfast in increasing the diversity of our workforce, reaching diverse communities, and continuing the diversity, equity and inclusion conversation across our organization, as well as supporting education and professional development.

Today, our commitment to diversity is upheld across our workforce and led by our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion department and chief diversity officer.

Together, we will continue to make progress towards a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all at the Red Cross and those we serve.

Learn more

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