Guest post by Michael Obendoerfer, Canadian Red Cross volunteer
A lawyer from rural Manitoba, John MacAulay’s hard work and dedication led him to become a leader in the Red Cross movement — even accepting a Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the Red Cross.
Born in Morden, MacAulay earned a law degree from the University of Manitoba and joined an influential Winnipeg law firm. Despite his success in the legal field, MacAulay was committed to volunteering with the Red Cross and creating positive change.
“Indeed, without these millions of Red Cross workers, without their support, without the spirit of solidarity and devotion they have always shown, the League would never have been able to fulfill its co-ordinating mission in all the fields where man has need of man.” MacAulay said in his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech on behalf of the League of Red Cross Societies in 1963. “Throughout the world, volunteers of different nationalities, races and ideologies unite in one and the same impulse to serve the same cause and thereby create a vast network of international agreement, a climate of understanding conducive to the establishment of a lasting peace.”
With his talent and commitment, MacAulay stepped into important roles with the Red Cross. MacAulay served as president of the Canadian Red Cross in Manitoba during the Second World War and president of the national Canadian Red Cross organization from 1950 to 1951.
MacAulay is being honoured with the Red Cross Legacy Award from the Canadian Red Cross for his humanitarian work and contributions to the movement at the Power of Humanity Luncheon held on September 10.
“John MacAulay is an inspiration to all of us who strive to help people in Manitoba and across the world,” said Shawn Feely, Canadian Red Cross provincial director for Manitoba. “His passion for humanitarian work helped grow the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the positive effects of this can be felt to this day.”
MacAulay moved to the global stage as chairman of the League of Red Cross Societies (now known as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) in 1959. In this position, he helped grow the number of national Societies to 106 from 88 and he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the Societies. MacAulay served as chairman until 1965.
“The relief actions of the League are as many testimonies of its solidarity,” said MacAulay during his Nobel Peace Prize address. “It assists in the development of new societies. It trains young people in a climate of friendship and service. The League will continue to serve men, to persuade them to extend a helping hand, to show them in the words of Sophocles that ‘they are born to love and not to hate each other.’”
A Companion to the Order of Canada, MacAulay died in 1978.
The Canadian Red Cross Power of Humanity Luncheon takes place in Winnipeg on Sept. 10.
Click here for the full video of the 1963 Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony.