French Red Cross Ladies in International or Universal Exhibitions (1867-1937).

Corinne M Belliard

doi:10.3389/fsoc.2019.00054

Abstract

This paper attempts to pinpoint what French Red-Cross women were doing in the international exhibitions from 1867 to 1937. They engaged their energies into organizing meetings, exhibitions, and into healing, receiving awards for their work. In spite of their dual activity of exhibitors and healthcarers, they had no specific pavilion at the world fairs. They hovered between the worlds of politics and medicine as distinguished guests but without their own space.

Highlights

This paper attempts to pinpoint what French Red-Cross women were doing in the international exhibitions from 1867 to 1937
At the turn of the twentieth century, it was probably not surprising to notice the presence of women within the Red Cross Societies and in International Exhibitions, belonging to both institutions had not yet been considered
The issue here, other than knowing who they were, is to identify what, in the eyes of the world, they did: were they just ordinary members of nationwide societies, professional health staff who ensured the protection of visitors in international exhibitions? Or, did they carry out, in a national agenda, an International philanthropic activity, showing generosity, kindness, benevolence, help, assistance and “love of mankind” (Littré, 1982)? In other words, were they local representatives casting transnational objectives at world fairs? As “regulars” in congresses and International Health Committees, did women in French Red Cross Societies speak with one voice in International Exhibitions? Was there a prevalent society of women at the world fairs? To what extent did International Exhibitions exhort women in French Relief societies?

Summary

Introduction

This paper attempts to pinpoint what French Red-Cross women were doing in the international exhibitions from 1867 to 1937. No iconographies represent Red Cross ladies at work in International Exhibitions. An intuitive thought places women from Red Cross Societies on the rescuing side in the public spaces of exhibitions all the way through this period. As “regulars” in congresses and International Health Committees, did women in French Red Cross Societies speak with one voice in International Exhibitions?

Results

Conclusion