On a stifling and humid afternoon in November, Julekha ‘Juli’ Akter sat on the floor of a small tent for families in the transit camp for vulnerable people arriving in Bangladesh after fleeing violence in Myanmar. The 18-year-old Bangladesh Red Crescent Society volunteer held the hand of an elderly woman, never breaking eye contact as the newcomer tearfully explained her journey.

A tiny baby, wrapped tightly in blankets, his face just peeking out, sleeps tucked up against his resting mother, under the watchful eye of his grandmother. It’s a scene that plays out all over the world, but in the Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh on Nov. 25 this story nearly had a different ending.

For International Women’s Day (March 8), we’re bringing together a collection of stories depicting remarkable women who have made a contribution to Red Cross efforts whether through international aid, volunteering with us or putting our programs, such as bullying and violence prevention, into action.

As the year draws to a close, we wanted to take a look back on stories that inspired us this year. With our year in review, we wanted to highlight those moments of humanity we shared this year. Now as one inspiring collection, here are our top 10 stories from 2017.

For many people in Newfoundland and Labrador, holiday festivities wouldn’t be complete without the centuries-old tradition of mummering — a disguised house visiting and guessing game.  Canadian Red Cross staff in St. John's recently got in on the fun too.

In 1917, Halifax, Nova Scotia, was a bustling port and major hub for Canada's First World War effort. Its deep and ice-free harbour is closer to Europe than most on the Atlantic coast of North America and tens of thousands of Canadian, other British Empire and American troops and a steady stream of ships loaded with wartime supplies passed through Halifax to or from Europe.
 
On December 6, the deadliest disaster in Canadian history occurred.

Volunteering is one of the Red Cross’ fundamental principles. You could say it’s part of the DNA of the organization. We wanted to share a few of the reasons why Canadian Red Cross volunteers dedicate so much of their time helping others.

Ethiopia, Iraq, Kenya, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, all countries with varying degrees of instability; all countries in which travellers expose themselves to a certain amount of risk; and all countries in which Colleen Laginskie has worked.