Mabel Thorp Boardman
Encyclopedia
Mabel Thorp Boardman was an American
philanthropist
involved with the American Red Cross
. She led the Red Cross in the United States following its receiving congressional charter
in 1905 until World War I
, however she did not take up the post of chairman since she believed the organisation would lose credibility with the public.
. Her mother, Florence Sheffield, was the granddaughter of Joseph Earl Sheffield
, was a major benefactor of Yale University
. She had 5 siblings, including Josephine Porter Boardman Crane
. The family moved from Ohio to Washington, D.C. in 1887–8, although they maintained connections to Ohio politics including a friendship with the Taft family
.
in 1898 she was active in recruiting nurses. In 1901 she was elected to the Executive Board of the American Red Cross and subsequently led the faction that ousted Clara Barton
from the presidency of the organization in 1904.
In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson
appointed Boardman to be the first woman member of the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia.
From 1923 until 1944, Boardman served as the Director of the Red Cross's Volunteer Service and overseeing its considerable expansion.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
involved with the American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
. She led the Red Cross in the United States following its receiving congressional charter
Congressional charter
A congressional charter is a law passed by the United States Congress that states the mission, authority and activities of a group. Congress issued federal charters from 1791 until 1992 under Title 36 of the United States Code....
in 1905 until World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, however she did not take up the post of chairman since she believed the organisation would lose credibility with the public.
Personal life
Boardman was from a well-to-do family. Her father, William Jarvis Boardman (15 April 1832–2 August 1915), a lawyer and active in politics, was the grandson of the Senator Elijah BoardmanElijah Boardman
Elijah Boardman was a United States Senator from Connecticut. Born to a noted and politically connected Connecticut family, he served in the United States Army before becoming a noted merchant and businessman. Becoming involved in property and land ownership in Connecticut and Ohio, he founded the...
. Her mother, Florence Sheffield, was the granddaughter of Joseph Earl Sheffield
Joseph Earl Sheffield
Joseph Earl Sheffield was an American railroad magnate and philanthropist.Sheffield was born in Southport, Connecticut, the son of Paul King Sheffield, a shipowner, and his wife Mabel . He attended public schools, and moved south to enter the cotton trade...
, was a major benefactor of Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. She had 5 siblings, including Josephine Porter Boardman Crane
Josephine Porter Boardman
Josephine Porter Boardman Crane was an American socialite and patron of the arts.-Personal life:Boardman was from a well-to-do family. Her father, William Jarvis Boardman , a lawyer and active in politics, was the grandson of the Senator Elijah Boardman...
. The family moved from Ohio to Washington, D.C. in 1887–8, although they maintained connections to Ohio politics including a friendship with the Taft family
Taft family
The Taft family of the United States hails from Cincinnati, Ohio, with historic origins in Massachusetts; its members have served Ohio, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Utah, and the United States in various positions, such as Governor of Ohio, Governor of Rhode Island, U.S. Senator , U.S...
.
Public Life
As a socialite she devoted time to many philanthropies. During the Spanish-American WarSpanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
in 1898 she was active in recruiting nurses. In 1901 she was elected to the Executive Board of the American Red Cross and subsequently led the faction that ousted Clara Barton
Clara Barton
Clarissa Harlowe "Clara" Barton was a pioneer American teacher, patent clerk, nurse, and humanitarian. She is best remembered for organizing the American Red Cross.-Youth, education, and family nursing:...
from the presidency of the organization in 1904.
In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
appointed Boardman to be the first woman member of the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia.
From 1923 until 1944, Boardman served as the Director of the Red Cross's Volunteer Service and overseeing its considerable expansion.
Published work
- Boardman, Mabel T. Under the Red Cross Flag at Home and Abroad Philadelphia: J. B.Lippincott (1915)