Evening star., 1952-09-19
Society News:
Pretty Sociolite las
High Red Cross Post
Mrs. Robert W. Wilson New National
Director of All Service Volunteers

with convalescent patients in mill
tary. veteran and civilian b6spi-
tails.
AS an example of the extent
of the need, Mrs. Wilson cited the
fact that the D. C. chapter alone
needs 1900 volunteers this fall,
for work in seven hospitals in the
area. These include 328 Gray
Ladies, 319 Nurses Aides, 70 Arts
and Skills Instructors. Is Surgical
Dressing Makers, and 40 Social
Welfare Aides.
The fact that all these divisions
come under Mrs. Wilson's general
gives some idea of the
enormity Of her task. Specifically,
she is director of what the Red
Cross calls it's Service Groups. In
addition to the categories listed
above, these include those con-
cerned with Canteens, Entertain
ment and Instruction, Motor
Transportation, and Staff Aides.
Another important group Of help
ers, those who raise funds for the
organization, come under another
division than Mrs. Wilson's.
There are more than enough
volunteers available during eve
ming hours, from among women
who work during the daytime, Mrs.
Wilson declares. The shortage
comes among daytime workers.
Vanishing Americans
This raises the question of
whether the woman with daytime
leisure is truly the vanishing
she said, her blue eyes
twinkling. "Some people think she
is. because servants are so hard to
get.
II personally don't think it's
that as much as it is that the de-
mands on women have increased
so. There are so many more
groups now, competing for wom-
ems free hours. Women are into
they wouldn't have
thought of entering 20 years ago."
Although it's a surprise to a lot
of people, the Red Cross is seek
ing men volunteers as well as
the new director reports.
'We need more women, of course,
she said. But there are certain
jobs-hospital aides. for instance
We really need men,"
There are American Red Cross
Service Group volunteers active
from Maine to Florida and from
Tokyo to Berlin. The groups out
side this country. some of which
Mrs. Wilson visited in Europe this
summer, are centered around
United States military hospitals.
mostly in Japan and the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization
countries.
Mrs. Wilson still is on the board
Of the D. c. Red Cross chapter,
and also is on the board of the
Travellers Aid Society of Washing
ton and of Potomac School. She
was president of the Smith College
Club of Washington from 1916 to
1948.
Europeon Trip
With her daughter Margaret. 10,
a sophomore at Smith College this
fall and one of last years debu-
tantes, she spent two months tour
ing Europe this summer, visiting
Spain, France, England, Scotland,
Holland, Germany. Switzerland.
and Italy. Mr.. Wilson, who is ex-
ecutive assistant to the president
Of the Potomac Electric Power Co.,
Joined them for the last couple Of
weeks of their trip.
When she is not eating. sleeping
and breathing Red Cross, Mrs.
Wilson likes sports. She is par
ticularly fond of field hockey. and
was a member of the All-Washing-
ton Club Hockey team from 1882
through 1884. She is a registered
official in the game now, and fire.
quently officiates at matches for
local schools.
Tennis and golf are also among
her enthusiasms, although she
says she has now given up active
participation in the former. She
was singles tennis champion of
the Chevy Chase Club one year in
the 40's, and in 1850 she won the
Maryland State mixed two-ball
foursome. Her partner in the lat
ter was Merle Thorpe, jr., of
Alexandria.
She ''loves'' clothes, frankly
''loathes" cooking.