Red Cross Gray Ladies

Guide for Gray Ladies Service

Gray Ladies work cooperatively with other Red Cross volunteers, other volunteer organizations and Chapter staff.

If they are working in a hospital, they report to a volunteer coordinator.

Some Gray Ladies like to knit, crochet, or sew.  They make lap robes, quilts, mittens, and scarves for patients in VA and nursing homes.

Those that are “crafty” volunteer to make tray favors for hospitals, nursing and VA homes.

Everyone looks forward to the Gray Ladies help.  They bring smiles to the faces of those that are lonely or need special care.  A Gray Ladies volunteer service is never done.  They are in need of more caring individuals who want to be rewarded with a smile and a quiet thank you from those they’ve helped.

Gray Ladies History

Gray Ladies service had its beginning in 1918 when a group of Red Cross volunteers began serving patients at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C.  At first they worked only as hostesses and in recreation activities.  But when the sick and injured returned from the European battlefields, the volunteers began to give more personal service to individual patients on the wards.  When the gray dress was adopted as the official uniform, patients affectionately called the volunteers “Gray Ladies.”

Before long, requests for similar service came from other military hospitals.  Later, veterans and civilian hospitals asked for the services of these volunteers.

Please note: The word “hospital” is frequently used alone, but services are applicable to other institutions and community agencies.  The word “patient” is used as meaning the person receiving the service regardless where he or she is located.