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Red Cross History
The American Red Cross movement was started by the efforts of Clara Barton, a Civil War nurse, in 1881. After coming back from the Swiss Red Cross Convention, Clara Barton was inspired to start a similar movement in America. Through her diligent efforts, Congress chartered the Red Cross in 1900 as the official nonprofit, tax-exempt relief agency for military personnel led by people willing to volunteer their time.
Youth did not join the American Red Cross movement until 1884. In Waterford, Pennsylvania, a group of six children raised money to help the efforts of the newly founded American Red Cross. "Sometime again when you want money to help you in your good work, call on the Little Six", they wrote to Clara Barton. The "Little Six" started the tradition of youth involvement in the American Red Cross that has expanded to what it is today.
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