American Red Cross in Galveston

Galveston has had an active Red Cross chapter since 1900. Within days of a devastating hurricane that destroyed much of the island city, Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, arrived in Galveston with personnel, supplies, and relief funds. Galveston women quickly formed a Red Cross auxiliary to assist the relief effort. A formal chapter for Galveston County was established in 1916 in response to the escalating war in Europe.

During World War I, hundreds of thousands of women in the United States formed and/or joined organizations that worked to bring relief to war-torn countries in Europe and provide support for the expanding war effort. The American Red Cross was transformed from a small organization to a national humanitarian organization with strong leadership, a huge membership base, universal recognition, and a broad and distinguished record of service. This highly organized work garnered the respect and support needed to push for equal rights and the vote for women.