Richland Women Rally for the Red Cross
With the war effort looming, women in Richland organize to sew supplies under the Kennewick branch to streamline aid.
The meeting of the Richland Red Cross in the park Monday afternoon was well attended. The speaker, Mrs. W. L. Lemon, secretary of the Yakima chapter, was in attendance and delivered a most interesting and highly appreciated address. She had samples of the various garments and supplies which the Red Cross is supposed to furnish and gave detailed instructions as to just how the sewing was to be done. On the advice of Mrs. Lemon, the women of Richland decided unanimously to work under the Kennewick branch as a local circle, all supplies to be secured in Kennewick. This would be a saving of a considerable amount in express charges on materials and finished goods, should the local women form an auxiliary and get their supplies from Yakima direct. Over twenty dollars was collected to apply on dues for the ensuing year, while every lady present signed up to pay her dollar as soon as she could get hold of her pocket-book. This, together with a donation already received for $25, gives the Richland women a good little sum with which to purchase their first materials, and work can be started right away.
“Every lady present signed up to pay her dollar as soon as she could get hold of her pocket-book.”
This story highlights the grassroots mobilization of women in the Tri-Cities during the WWI era. While Red Cross efforts have evolved, the organizational structure of local chapters pooling resources in Kennewick echoes the long-standing history of regional civic cooperation that persists in the area today.
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