The Red Cross
The Red Cross is a voluntary organization that helps people in need. Some of Nightingale's principles became the basis of the Red Cross.
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"Florence Nightingale was determined to achieve the best for the patients in very difficult conditions. Her work proved an inspiration to the founder of the Red Cross Movement, Henry Dunant." -British Red Cross
Left: "Henry Dunant at the time of the Battle of Solferino." Right: "Henry Dunant in 1895, aged 67." © International Committee of the Red Cross
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British Red Cross
"Though I am known as the founder of the Red Cross and the originator of the Convention of Geneva, it is to an English woman that all the honour of that convention is due. What inspired me to go to Italy during the war of 1859 was the work of Miss Florence Nightingale in the Crimea.” -Henry Dunant, 1872
Florence Nightingale's work in the Crimean War inspired Henry Dunant to create the Red Cross. Many of their principles and beliefs are similar.
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International Committee of the Red Cross logo
One of the Red Cross fundamental principles is similar to Nightingale's beliefs about suffering:
“Suffering lifts its victim above normal values. While suffering endures there is neither good nor bad, valuable nor invaluable, enemy nor friend. The victim has passed to a region beyond human classification or moral judgments and his suffering is a sufficient claim." -Florence Nightingale
The Red Cross principle of neutrality states:
"In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature."
“Suffering lifts its victim above normal values. While suffering endures there is neither good nor bad, valuable nor invaluable, enemy nor friend. The victim has passed to a region beyond human classification or moral judgments and his suffering is a sufficient claim." -Florence Nightingale
The Red Cross principle of neutrality states:
"In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature."
The ICRC also gives the Florence Nightingale Medal. "The Florence Nightingale Medal is the highest international distinction that can be awarded to a nurse. It recognizes exceptional courage and devotion to caring for victims of a conflict or natural disaster , or exemplary services or a creative and pioneering spirit in the areas of public health or nursing education." -ICRC