New Battlefields For Red Cross

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32382, 22 August 1970, Page 2

New Battlefields For Red Cross

A complex, modern society provides the new battlefields of the Red Cross in the opinion of the deputy chairman of the American National Red Cross (Miss Margaret Hickey), who is visiting Red Cross centres in New Zealand.

“Now there are new wounds—the complexity of society, the confusion of

young and the loneliness of the aged,” said Miss Hickey in Christchurch yesterday. Miss Hickey has made work for the Red Cross, in a voluntary capacity, her personal commitment. She sees the society as having the impetus to improve the quality of life, and she particularly likes its lack of labels. Motivated by concern for the welfare of others. Miss Hickey has served in many spheres. The range and depth of the services of this unassuming, gentle woman are an indication of her seemingly unlimited energy. In the Red Cross Society Miss Hickey has held many important posts, most recently as vice-chairman of the Commission for International Humanitaria- Law and Relief to Civilian Populations in Istanbul, Turkey. She has received appointments from five United States presidents. Since 1954 she has been a member of the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid of the International Cooperation Administration, now a part of the Agency for International Development. In 1965 she became its vicechairman. In 1963 she went to Manila as a delegate of Aid to the Far East Regional Workshop on the role of women in community development. Miss Hickey has also served on the Advisory Council on child welfare services of the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Her services at home and abroad have been recognised by the awards of five honorary degrees, including ah honorary Doctorate of Literature from St Gary's College, Notre Dame.