by Barbara Wilks, Chapter Historian

First aiders show off their uniforms for Chapter Manager Bowen McCoy in the 1940s.

Six World War II Red Cross uniforms are on display at the chapter headquarters, highlighting the popularity of Red Cross uniforms during the organization’s long history.

Lovito Erickson, an American Red Cross nurse in uniform in 1918.

Until about 1980, uniforms were very popular with chapter volunteers, and it wasn’t unusual to see them and the chair of volunteers, Mrs. “Bill” Finucane, wearing the blue pin striped dresses around the chapter and at blood collection sites. Even then-CEO John Stroud wore a blue pin striped, light weight suit in the summer. Volunteer nurses wore white uniforms with navy blue capes. Disaster volunteers and first aiders wore dark blue shirts and trousers. And of course, all the uniforms had identifying Red Cross patches.

During World War II, the American Red Cross asked all its volunteers to wear their uniforms whenever they went out in public during Red Cross Month, giving the organization widespread visibility and instilling a sense of pride in the volunteers.

Our thanks to Santa Monica Chapter Historian Anna Lisa DeBois for coordinating the uniforms and historical items now on display.