By Nila Harris
Mary McDowell, Pendleton County team lead for the Bluegrass Region American Red Cross, said she enjoys helping people. She likes it so much that her career with Red Cross has spanned three states and 50 years.
On July 27, McDowell was recognized for her longtime service to the agency at a dinner in Lexington. Attending with her daughter, Mary Brearton, McDowell received an exceptional service certificate and a 50-year service pin.
McDowell began her Red Cross career in Cincinnati. After she married, she and her husband moved to Hawaii. While there, McDowell taught CPR and first-aid classes.
“I trained lifeguards in Hawaii, but they couldn’t pay me, but they gave me a fully stocked, huge first-aid kit, and they taught me how to swim,” McDowell said.
She has also helped maintain shelters during crisis situations.
When she and her husband moved back to this area, McDowell started back up with Cincinnati unit of Red Cross, which later became the Bluegrass American Red Cross.
She is the team lead for Pendleton County. She and her team provide training and certification, respond to crisis situations and provide disaster relief.
Her enthusiasm shines through as she expresses how much she enjoys her job and the people she has been able to help over the years.
To learn more about the American Red Cross and how to help, visit redcross.org.