History of the Northern Westchester Chapter
Our Founder
Katherine C. Marquand
Katherine C. Marquand, a former resident of Mt. Kisco, was a community leader whose work laid the foundation for two of Westchester County's essential healthcare organizations: the American Red Cross in Westchester County and the Visiting Nurse Association of Hudson Valley.
When Mrs. Marquand observed the wounded soldiers returning from the Spanish- American War she decided to take action and help them. On June 21, 1898 she invited 20 guests including 12 nurses to her Mount Kisco home, New Castle House, and inspired them to organize what would eventually become today's Westchester Chapter of the American Red Cross.
The group of nurses, with Mrs. Marquand as their Chairwoman, began by serving 17 towns as the Red Cross Auxiliary #20 in Northern Westchester. They sent hospital and surgical supplies, clothing, food, reading matter, and clothes to the soldiers. In addition to sending supplies, Mrs. Marquand and the group raised money to send Red Cross nurses to tend soldiers in battle. When peace was declared, the women believed that the expert nursing care provided for the soldiers should also be available to people at home. On November 15, 1898 the Red Cross committee started the District Nursing Association of Hudson Valley.
The Red Cross Auxiliary #20 continued their humanitarian work and in 1910 they became a full-fledged Westchester County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Because of Mrs. Marquand's humanitarian efforts, leadership, and determination 105 years ago, we have today's Visiting Nurse Association of Hudson Valley and the American Red Cross in Westchester County.
Chapter History
1898: The pattern for the Red Cross in Westchester County was set with the Spanish American War and its peace when two auxiliaries were organized:
- The Red Cross Society of Northern Westchester, Auxiliary #20 sent clothing, food, tobacco, reading material, surgical dressings, hospital supplies, and garments to soldiers.
- The Land and Sea Auxiliary #22 of Larchmont, Pelham, Harrison and Mamaroneck sewed flags and towels, to raise money to equip the kitchen of the Hospital Ship "Relief."
1910: Charter signed establishing Westchester County as Chapter of the National Red Cross consisting of 30 local committees.
1918: Red Cross provided 54 nurses, 104 practical nurses and aids, and 70 volunteers to the seven emergency hospitals established during the influenza epidemic.
The following services were introduced: Life Saving, Braille, Volunteer Hospital Service (Gray Ladies and Health Aids), Home Nursing, Life Saving Examinations, First Aid Instructors, and High School Councils.
1929: Chapter office is relocated from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan to White Plains, NY.
1941: The chapter continued its service to military personnel and their families throughout World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam wars.
1942: Blood donor service inaugurated and coordinated until the early 1960's when it was undertaken by Hudson Valley Blood Services.
1976: CPR training introduced.
1980: A major fire at the Stouffer Hotel killed 27 visiting executives. Disaster Services volunteers set up radio and communication lines, provided food service, and calmed the hotel workers.
1984: Introduced Living Safely Workshop to teach adults Health and Safety education so that they could teach Home Alone Safety to latchkey children.
1987: The Chapter Disaster Services were at standby for a major evacuation of people from the Bronx and Mt. Vernon, during the hazardous removal of toxic waste material from warehouses in Mr. Vernon and the Bronx.
1990: Initiated "While You're Away Project." More than 10,000 letters from 167 schools were sent to troops in Saudi Arabia in Operation Desert Shield.
1991: Emergency Services/Social Services in concert with the American Red Cross Holocaust and Was Tracing and Information Service in Baltimore, MD created Project Search to assist Westchester Residents learn the fate of relatives who were Holocaust victims or displaced persons.
1994: I-287 Propane gas truck explosion. Chapter works with Hispanic Support Groups from City of White Plains and Hispanic Coalition to help 24 families displaced by the accident.
1995: Chapter responds to apartment fire in Mt. Vernon, helping 82 displaced families--the largest and most expansive operation in the history of the chapter.
1996: First African American HIV/AIDS Instructor Course held. Fifteen instructors trained.
2001: Following the September 11th terrorist attack in New York City, Chapter volunteers were at Ground Zero helping victims of the disaster. Our Chapter's communication vehicle and Cingular Interactive Technology enabled one missing person to be located alone, and over 300 victims' pagers sounded so victims could be traced.
Former President Bill Clinton visits the Westchester Chapter and praises its volunteers for their efforts during the devastating terrorist attack.
2003: The Chapter responds to victims of the worst fires in Yonkers history, providing housing for displaced families, food and clothing.
Former President Bill Clinton speaks at the Annual Touch of Red Gala and once again praises the work and service they provided by the American Red Cross in Westchester County.