Introduction

Women have greatly advanced emergency services since Clara Barton created the American Red Cross in 1881. After the Civil War, Barton visited Europe and became inspired by the Swiss global Red Cross Network. When she returned from Europe, she campaigned for the American Red Cross in the United States. 

History of the Gray Ladies

While leading the Red Cross, the Gray Ladies formed the organization in 1918, out of World War I. Many of the nurses in the Red Cross were serving overseas at military base hospitals assisting wounded soldiers. However, there was a gap of nonmedical professionals to assist the return of the wounded soldiers returning to the United States. In 1918, the American Red Cross founded the Hostess and Hospital Service and Recreation Corps at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Maryland.

The Corps worked all over the medical centers, including civilian and military hospitals, clinics, blood centers, sanitariums, and convalescent homes. In 1947, the Corps changed its name to the Gray Ladies or Gray Lady Service, recognizing the gray uniforms (dress and veil) that the nonmedical Red Cross workers wore.

These ladies would also help comfort the patients and their families. During the Gray Ladies’ time at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Gray Ladies read to patients and wrote letters, read books to them aloud, played games with patients, and surprised patients on special occasions, such as birthdays. The Gray Ladies also assisted with the blood drives by assisting the nurses, providing refreshments, and checking in the donors.

But who were these ladies? These ladies were retired nurses, homemakers, and others interested in giving back to the community between the ages of 17 and 70. Not all Gray Ladies were women, there were some cases where men would join the volunteer service as well. The Red Cross thought it was important for these volunteers to complete a training class before being assigned to their tasks. The training class would teach the volunteers how to stay remain calm and positive for the patients and patient’s families. 

Conclusion

The Gray Ladies eventually disbanded in the later 1960s when the Red Cross emerge all their volunteer programs into one, the Red Cross Volunteer Services. Even though the Gray Ladies no longer exist, their spirit and duty remain active. A Gray Lady can be seen every time a Red Cross Volunteer is at work, especially in medical situations.