Atlanta Daily World

Tuskegee Honors
Red Cross Worker

TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE, Ala. – The Tuskegee Institute Chapter of the American Red Cross paid homage Wednesday evening to its first Executive Secretary and gave her a citation for the 33 years of service she has rendered the Red Cross.

The name B. B. Walcott, who served Macon County and the Tuskegee Community so well for the past 33 years is virtually synonymous with Red Cross to many persons who have been benefited through her efforts during these years.

The Tuskegee Institute Chapter of the American Red Cross was organized in July, 1918, and Mrs. Walcott was made the Executive Secretary at that time. She was a volunteer worker through the Fall of 1941, a part-time worker through 1948, and when she relinquished her teaching and public relations work at the Institute, she was then made a full time worker for the Tuskegee Chapter. When the Tuskegee Army Air Field opened in 1941, Mrs. Walcott was appointed Acting Field Director of the Red Cross for the service men stationed here. She was the first Negro woman to serve in this capacity.

Mr. W. W. Jefferson of Atlanta, Georgia, manager of the Southeastern Area of the American Red Cross, was the principal speaker on this occasion. In addition to paying homage to Mrs. Walcott for the long and untiring years of service, he reviewed the history of Red Cross both in America and throughout the world, and pointed out how this organization has, through workers like Mrs. Walcott, brought relief and comfort to millions of people, in peace and war, around the world.

Dr. F. D. Patterson, who is a member of the Board of Governors of the American National Red Cross, presented the citation to Mrs. Walcott at the Wednesday evening service. Members of the Junior Red Cross Chapter served as ushers for the meeting, and the Grey Ladies Corps trained under Mrs. Walcott attended in a body.

The service was presided over by Mr. John L. Anderson, Vice Chair.