Celebrating the power of women in service

 By Jennifer Costa, Red Cross communications director

Women in Service panel

The Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive, New Hampshire largest and longest-running blood drive, is unlike any other drive in our region. And this year, it got a bit more special.

Wednesday marked the first "Women in Service Tea." The American Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton, a woman, 140 years ago and continues to be powered by women today. This tea honored the late Gail Singer's remarkable dedication to her community. 

Bayla Rich, Gail's daughter

"My father and my mother definitely shaped me in terms of giving. My mother passed away when I was four," said Bayla Rich, Gail's daughter, recounting a story from just days before her mother died, helping a rabbi and dear friend who was struggling with a special needs child. "From her hospital bed, she was so sick, but she called and ordered them a television with a video machine. That kind of generosity shaped me." 

This event brought together a panel of eight influential women - volunteers, business leaders and philanthropists - who engaged attendees in a powerful conversation about service, leadership and inspiring the next generation.

Panelists Jen Stebbins Thomas and Lex Dallas

“Being in my young adult years, I feel that this is a very important time to stay involved so that I can have these experiences in what’s going on around me so that later in life I can work to find ways to address it,” said Lex Dallas, a rising senior at Dartmouth College who’s majoring in economics with a passion for advancing health equity and addressing social determinants impacting patient care. “Embodying these ideals, showing up and engaging in service is a big part of our organization.” 

Dallas is a member of the Phi Theta Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – and helped organize New Hampshire’s first sickle cell blood drive at her school this spring.

Martha Dodge speaking

"Know what fills a person's cup, what fulfills them? Look for those service opportunities and then go tap a young person, look them in the eye and say, 'I think you would be good at this and this is why.'" said panelist Martha Dodge, senior vice president and chief nursing executive, Elliot Health System.

The inaugural tea was hosted by the Red Cross Tiffany Circle, a community of philanthropic women leaders who advance the Red Cross mission through a focused investment of time, talent and treasure by engaging women locally, nationally and internationally.

“Women, particularly mothers and children are often disproportionally affected in crises and disasters. Globally, one in five children is fleeing conflict – and resulting hardships for mothers and children can produce negative generational impacts that persist far into the future,” said Cindy Couture, Red Cross volunteer and co-founder and president of the New Hampshire Tiffany’s Circle. “Preparing and encouraging the next generation is essential – and being a woman plays a significant role that shapes our giving and volunteer strategies.” 

Couture went on to share statistics around women’s influence over volunteering and philanthropy:

·       57% of volunteers in the U.S. are women

·       Women are 2x as likely to volunteer as men

·       Women are 40% more likely than men to engage in philanthropy in the U.S.

·       38% of U.S. businesses are owned by women

·       Women control 45% of the wealth in the U.S.

·       45% of millionaires in the U.S. are women

·       By 2030, American women are expected to control over $30 trillion in assets

“Women possess that power to drive positive change around the world. Their leadership, generosity and commitment to humanitarian causes continue to make a profound difference in communities everywhere,” Couture said.

Nicole Philbrick with daughters Emerson & Cameron

“You don’t have to grow up being someone who was surrounded by volunteering. I didn’t volunteer until I was in my 20s. You just find moment, or the right organization or the right relationship that does it for you – and it flips that switch. That’s all you need and it can happen at any point in your life,” said Nicole Philbrick, president, Southern New Hampshire Chapter of the National Charity League, a mother-daughter volunteer organization with over 300 chapters across the U.S.

The American Red Cross is powered by volunteers. In fact, these dedicated humanitarians make up 90% of our workforce. The Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive is a quintessential example of the power of volunteers. This year, 130 volunteers dedicated 1,000 hours to making this blood drive a success. Together we can save more lives.

To learn more about becoming a Red Cross volunteer, click HERE.

To learn more about becoming a Tiffany Circle member, click HERE.