Every Tuesday, we publish a photo to show Red Cross at work across the country or around the world. Do you have a photo to share? Let us know!
Recently, we celebrated women leaders involved with the Canadian Red Cross at the launch of our
Tiffany Circle.
While at the event, three colleagues, Hodan, Chloe and Mehr, paid homage to Red Cross women leaders of yesteryear by wearing Canadian Red Cross Corps uniforms.
We thought to show you a photo of the uniforms for Photo Tuesday. Hodan's uniform (far right in the photo) is an original, dating back to World War II. As you can see, they are very different compared to the Red Cross vests our aid workers and volunteers wear now.
If you have never heard of the Corps before, here are some details about this amazing group of women:
During World War II and after, 15,000 women volunteered with the Corps, with 641 serving overseas in Africa and Europe. These women drove ambulances - often in blackouts - supported patients and assisted staff in military hospitals.
Between 1945 and 1947, a delegation of 58 Corps volunteers escorted nearly 45,000 war brides and their 21,000 children on their trans-Atlantic journey to Canada. This was the largest mass migration of women and children in Canadian history.
Organized on a military model, women served in four divisions, each with a specific role and a distinctive uniform – just like the ones that Hodan,Chloe and Mehr are wearing in the above photo.
The Corps had their last meeting in 2005. However, the next generations of women are still continuing to help the most vulnerable in their communities through the Red Cross, like those involved with the Tiffany Circle.
Looking great ladies!