The American Red Cross hosts a work of art — symbolizing unity — in the form of three stunning stained glass window panels at its national headquarters building in Washington, D.C. Created by the Tiffany Studios and installed in 1917, these windows were funded in part by the Woman’s Relief Corps (representing the women of the North) and the United Daughters of the Confederacy (the UDC, representing the women of the South). They were designed to symbolize reconciliation following the Civil War and are reputed to be the largest suite of Tiffany windows created for a secular environment.
Because of some funding from the UDC, and as part of our organizational commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, in 2021 the Red Cross contracted two esteemed historical researchers, one who is a well-known authority on the UDC, and one who is a top scholar on glassworks of the Tiffany Studios, to fully understand the background and inspiration for the Tiffany windows.
The collective findings of these two researchers yielded detailed reports on the creation and funding of the windows, the Red Cross vision for its national headquarters building and windows, the role of Tiffany Studios, and the extent of the involvement of the UDC.
As an organization committed to transparency and its Fundamental Principles of humanity, neutrality, and impartiality, the Red Cross is proud to have conducted this important research. The Red Cross celebrates the diversity, equity and inclusion that enables its lifesaving mission to aid families across the U.S. and around the world in a manner that is sensitive and culturally competent.
