Introduction

From the outbreak of the war in Europe in 1914, the Red Cross mobilized a “Mercy Ship” to send to aid civilian and military victims in Europe. On this ship were medical supplies, doctors, and 125 nurses sent to aid those suffering from the conflict. Since founding of the Red Cross, nursing remained at the heart of the organization in both the International Red Cross and its American counterpart. Nursing itself continued to undergo a transformation throughout the First World War, changing into a career that employed thousands of highly trained professional women.

The icon of the Red Cross nurse grew more prominent, bolstered by the aggressive recruitment tactics of the Red Cross to entice volunteers and funds for aid. The image of the Red Cross nurse grew to be an icon representing duty, patriotism, and the ideal of wartime to which women could aspire. Yet, the reality of nursing was far different than many women, especially the women who volunteered, thought.

The Red Cross had a pronounced presence in Connecticut with chapters across the state. Women and men from all over Connecticut volunteered for the organization, some as nurses, and the nursing division swelled in size. The prominence of the organization was bolstered by the constant presence of the organization everywhere, from the actions of its members to frequent calls to join the Red Cross, to donate or send supplies. While the organizations origins intended to adopt a stance of neutrality, a change in leadership ensured that the Red Cross, and its nurses, became icons of devoted patriotism.