Vest
- Description
- American Red Cross Disaster Relief uniform vest. The vest is a gray-and-white smock style with the Red Cross logo on the upper right breast. On the back of the vest is a large red cross with "American Red Cross | Disaster Relief" printed below. This vest has 14 lapel pins and one red, white, and blue looped ribbon attached to the left side. On the right side, 11 lapel pins are attached as well as one American Red Cross button and identification card for Sondra Lee Taylor. There is a plastic toy "junior police" shield for the Port Authority Police Transit Police as well. The majority of the lapel pins are gold number pins from police or fire department uniforms, indicating a house or precinct number.
- Historical Notes
- Volunteers of every age, background, and ability flocked to Ground Zero, intent on supporting rescue and recovery operations. Some signed on with organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, while others volunteered independently.
Curator's Comment
American Red Cross volunteer Sondra Lee Taylor arrived at Ground Zero a week and a half after 9/11. For several months, Taylor supervised the food tent and handed out provisions to rescue and recovery workers taking a break from work at Ground Zero. Of her time at the site, she spoke vividly about the smell, the totality of destruction, and the people she met when she staffed the food tent; many of them gave her the lapel pins from their uniforms, which she affixed to her volunteer vest.
In 2008, Taylor was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, a type of cancer commonly associated with asbestos exposure, likely contracted due to her time spent at Ground Zero. Taylor succumbed to her condition in 2014.
In 2008, Taylor was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, a type of cancer commonly associated with asbestos exposure, likely contracted due to her time spent at Ground Zero. Taylor succumbed to her condition in 2014.
- Accession Number: C.2019.132.1
- Dimensions: 26 in X 23 in
- Dimensions (Metric): 66.04 cm X 58.42 cm
- Source: Lisa Lea Humpich
- Credit Line: Gift of Lisa Lea Humpich and Sonny Taylor, in memory of Sondra Lee Taylor
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