The Journey of Italian Red Cross Nurses: A Story of Bravery and Commitment

The Early Days of the Italian Red Cross

The first Italian Red Cross nurses came from the nobility and upper bourgeoisie, and their main activity was to raise funds for the organization. It wasn’t until 1908, with the creation of the Volunteer Nurses Corps, that nurses began to receive professional training and were deployed in the field, such as during the Messina earthquake in 1908.

Nurses’ Involvement During World War I

During World War I, Italian Red Cross nurses were called upon to serve on the front lines and in field hospitals. Elena d’Orléans, Duchess of Aosta and first Inspector General of Italian nurses, played a crucial role in improving working conditions and recognizing the professionalism of nurses.

“The beds of the wounded look like kennels, the operation room is repulsive. […] I wouldn’t treat a dog with the surgical instruments I see being used.” – Elena d’Orléans, Duchess of Aosta

The Role of Nurses During World War II

Italian Red Cross nurses continued their significant commitment during World War II, notably by working on “navi bianche”, hospital ships where they treated thousands of wounded. Among them was Edda Ciano, the daughter of Benito Mussolini, whose nursing career was marred by controversy and trials.

The Italian Red Cross After the War

After the war, the Italian Red Cross continued to be a renowned institution, with influential figures such as Maria Pia Fanfani, wife of Christian Democracy leader Amintore Fanfani, who served as president of the Italian Red Cross and vice-president of the International Red Cross in the 1980s.

Today, the Italian Red Cross remains a vital player in emergency situations and natural disasters, and the nurses who are part of it carry on the tradition of bravery and commitment that has characterized their history for over a century.