American Red Cross

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American Red Cross
FormationMay 21, 1881; 142 years ago (1881-05-21)
FounderClara Barton
Legal statusInstrumentality of the United States and a body corporate and politic[1]
PurposeHumanitarian aid
HeadquartersAmerican Red Cross National Headquarters
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Region served
United States
President
Gail J. McGovern[2]
Main organ
Board of Governors
Revenue
US$2,714,189,000 (2017)[3]
Websitewww.redcross.org

The American Red Cross (ARC), also known as The American National Red Cross,[4] is a humanitarian group that gives emergency assistance, disaster relief, and teaches people how to prepare for disasters in the United States. It is the official US group related to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the United States movement to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The groups offers services and developments programs.[5]

History[change | change source]

Creators[change | change source]

Clara Barton[change | change source]

Clara Barton (1821–1912) created the American chapter after learning of the Red Cross in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1869, she went to Europe and became involved with the International Red Cross during the Franco-Prussian War. She wanted to bring the group to America.[6]

Leadership[change | change source]

Recent presidents and CEOs include Gail McGovern, Elizabeth Dole, Bernadine Healy, Mary S. Elcano, Mark W. Everson and John F. McGuire.[2]

References[change | change source]

  1. 36 U.S.C. § 300101
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Leaders of the American Red Cross". American Red Cross. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  3. "American Red Cross 2017 Audit and Consolidated Financial Statements" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-05-13. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  4. "Congressional Charter of the American Red Cross" (PDF). May 2007.
  5. "What We Do | Red Cross | Disaster Relief, Emergency Management". American Red Cross. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  6. "The Story of My Childhood". World Digital Library. 1907. Retrieved October 9, 2013.

Other websites[change | change source]