By Marita Salkowski, Marita.salkowski@redcross.org

The Greater Cincinnati Tri-State Chapter of the American Red Cross has announced that Delores Hargrove-Young has been named the recipient of the prestigious Clara Barton Award for Humanitarian Service. The award will be presented at a special breakfast event held April 3, at 8:30 a.m. at Cincinnati’s Music Hall.

The Clara Barton Award is named after the remarkable founder and first leader of the American Red Cross and is given annually by the Cincinnati chapter to an individual, group of individuals, or corporation which exemplifies Barton’s humanitarian spirit. 

Hargrove-Young has been selected as this year’s recipient because of her life-long commitment to humanitarian service in the Cincinnati community. As the vice chair of d.e. Foxx & Associates, one of Greater Cincinnati’s largest minority-owned businesses, Hargrove-Young has been a prominent member of many non-profit organization boards including the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Artswave, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the American Red Cross. In 2024, she was named as a Great Living Cincinnatian by the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce.

Hargrove-Young served as the chair of the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State board from 2016 to 2018.  She is the first African American woman to serve as chair of the local Red Cross board of directors. During her time as both a member and chair of the Cincinnati Board, she was instrumental in the establishment and growth of the Sound the Alarm Campaign, which aims to reduce deaths and injuries due to home fires through the installation of free smoke alarms.  The concept born in the Cincinnati Chapter has now become a national campaign.  

“Delores has had a lasting impact on the greater Cincinnati community,” said Stephanie Byrd, regional executive for the American Red Cross Central & Southern Ohio Region. “She is a remarkable businesswoman, a prominent community leader, and a staunch supporter of diversity and empowerment of women. I am in awe of her strength, yet kindly resolve to make all aspects of our community better.”

The Clara Baron Award for Humanitarian Service event gives the Red Cross an opportunity to recognize community leaders for their service, as well as highlight the work of the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State Chapter.

The funds generated serve as an important source of revenue in supporting the life-saving Red Cross programs in Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Brown, Clermont, Dearborn, Ohio, Boone, Kenton, Campbell, and Grant counties. Individuals, corporations or organizations seeking sponsorship opportunities for this event should contact Laura.Shepherd@redcross.org,  for more information on the event.

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By Marita Salkowski

The Greater Cincinnati Tri-State Chapter of the American Red Cross’ Inaugural Clara Barton Award for Humanitarian Service was last week awarded to Dr. O’dell Owens. This award is named after the remarkable founder and first leader, Clara Barton, and was presented to Owens for his life-long commitment to the community through his groundbreaking work in medicine; advocacy for education; and his activism for the underserved.

Red Cross Regional CEO Stephanie Byrd, said “It’s appropriate that we hold this celebration during Volunteer Appreciation Week. Like Dr. Owens, and the namesake of the award he receives today, devoted Red Cross volunteers provide service to humanity as reflected in the assistance they provide on a daily basis to victims of disaster. Whether it’s a hurricane on the coast, or a wildfire out west, our volunteers from the Central & Southern Ohio are there.  But we are also here, keeping Cincinnati covered in hope with our disaster response and preparedness programs for our neighbors in the Tri-State.

“Dr. Owens is a living legend in greater Cincinnati. His groundbreaking work in medicine; service to our community in many pivotal leadership positions; and his advocacy for children and the underserved; make him the perfect choice to be our inaugural honoree.”

I offer my congratulations to Dr. Owens for being the first-ever recipient of the Clara Barton Award for Humanitarian Service and sincerely thank him for his remarkable contributions to our community.’’

This Award for Humanitarian Service will be given out each year in Cincinnati to a community leader who demonstrates great concern for the Tri-State and has made it a better place to live and work. This special event gives the Red Cross an opportunity to recognize community leaders for their service, as well as highlight the work of the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State Chapter. The funds generated serve as an important source of revenue in supporting the life-saving Red Cross programs in Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Brown, Clermont, Dearborn, Ohio, Boone, Kenton, Campbell, and Grant counties.

Special remarks were made at the ceremony by:

Jeanette Altenau, Director of Community Relations, TriHealth

Deanna Hillard, Previous O’dell’s Fellows Member

Chara Fisher Jackson, Executive Director & CEO, Cincinnati Preschool Promise

Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, Vice Mayor, City of Cincinnati

Mary MacDowell, Community Events Manager, CET

Monica Posey, President Cincinnati State Technical & Community College

Michael A. Thomas MD, Department Chair, Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine & UC Health

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