‘Have You a Red Cross Service Flag?’: Celebrating a Legacy of Help and Hope

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American illustrator Jessie Wilcox Smith created this historical 1918 poster, which depicts a young boy sitting on a windowsill putting a Red Cross emblem on a window. The message “Have You a Red Cross Service Flag?” is a reference to the flags that the Red Cross provided to members through its annual Roll Call campaign around the holidays. This artwork appeared in both the 1918 Red Cross Magazine and Atlantic Division Newsletter. A notable American female illustrator of the time, Smith contributed to many publications, especially books and magazines in the late 19th to early 20th centuries.

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American artist Norman Rockwell created this 1932 poster featuring the message, “Join the Red Cross.” It was titled “Mr. Citizen” and used for the 16th Annual Roll Call. Rockwell created two posters for the American Red Cross, one in 1932 and the other in 1951, as well as four covers for the Red Cross Magazine, from 1918 to 1920.

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This poster by L. N. Britton was used for the 1917 Roll Call campaign, asking members of the public to join the American Red Cross with the message, “A candle in every window and a Red Cross member in every home.”

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Artist Will Rannells created the cover of the February 1920 edition of the Red Cross Magazine, which was published from around 1913 until October 1920. Other publications included the Red Cross Bulletin and Red Cross Courier.

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This Red Cross historical poster ─ “At the Service of All Mankind” ─ was part of the 6th Annual Roll Call campaign and appeared in the Red Cross Courier on October 18, 1922. The artist was Lawrence Wilbur, a prolific artist for the Red Cross. His artwork often depicts nurses and children, the Greatest Mother and Junior Red Cross. Lawrence created at least 17 unique pieces for the Red Cross.

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Artist N.C. Wyeth created this well-known Red Cross poster, which was used for several campaigns. Wyeth first produced “The American Red Cross Carries On...Join!” in 1933 for the 17th Annual Roll Call campaign. This striking image of billowing Red Cross flags set against clouds was later adapted using different slogans for campaigns in 1947 and 1953.

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Joining the Red Cross was a common theme in many of the posters from this time. This poster by artist Walter Seaton was used in the 21st Annual Roll Call campaign and as the back cover of the Red Cross Courier in 1937. Seaton was a well-known illustrator for the Saturday Evening Post, Colliers, Ladies Home Journal, Cosmopolitan and other magazines. He was also a war bond artist and a book illustrator.

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Here is another painting from artist Norman Rockwell, who created this Red Cross Magazine cover for March 1920. Beginning in 1918, Rockwell contributed a series of illustrations and posters to the organization. His association spanned a period of more than 30 years.

December 12, 2023

Throughout the 142-year history of the American Red Cross, ordinary people have powered our lifesaving mission, making an extraordinary difference in countless lives from generation to generation. This generous spirit is woven into the fabric of our country — where today, the American public’s selfless contributions of time, money and blood continue to shine as a beacon of hope for neighbors in need.

A Legacy of Caring for One Another

People first answered the call to help through the American Red Cross when founder Clara Barton issued a public appeal for funds and clothing as part of our first disaster response in 1881 to aid victims of a devastating forest fire in Michigan.

From there, the American people continued to step up, aiding families devastated by many more national and international crises. By the time the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, President Woodrow Wilson called on the American Red Cross to raise funds to address the needs of thousands of young men joining the Allied forces on the battlefields of Europe.

Millions Help through Annual Roll Call Campaign

To fuel our critical and growing services, the Red Cross engaged the public in initiatives such as our annual Roll Call campaign around the holidays. As part of the campaign, people paid $1 in dues to become members and the outpouring of support was incredible. In just two years, Red Cross members increased from 286,000 to more than 20 million. What’s more, by the end of World War I, nearly one-third of the U.S. population was either a Red Cross donor or volunteer.

To thank members for their generosity, the Red Cross provided them with a “Red Cross Service Flag” to display in their window at home. The organization also partnered with artists such as the iconic American painter and illustrator Norman Rockwell to create paintings that were printed as posters to inspire compassionate acts of help and hope.

Check out examples of artwork from the 25-year Roll Call era in this slideshow. Each represents how the kindness of volunteers and generosity of donors make our lifesaving work possible — a legacy of service that continues today. To learn more about our work, visit redcross.org.

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.