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Ellen Swallow Richards
Ellen Richards was a pioneer in the FACS field. She was an incredibly intelligent woman who had intelligent parents. She was a trained chemist and became the first ever woman to be admitted and to graduate from MIT. Because of her constant advocation for a women's lab, she was finally awarded a grant and was able to set one up and teach using it. Although it eventually closed, Mrs. Richards continued as a faculty member at MIT and contributed greatly to the field of FACS. -
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Wilbur Olin Atwater
Wilbur Atwater was a major player in the dietetics field. He was awarded his PhD at Yale and studied some in Germany which allowed him take their techniques and apply them in his own way to his studies. He would study and annotate the nutritional value of thousands of food and provided input on the recommended daily value of certain nutrients. Some of his most important works were his study of human metabolism. His findings still influence teachings today. -
Massachusettes Institute of Technology
MIT is credited for allowing Ellen Richards to become the first woman to ever attend and graduate. Ellen Richards is the pioneer for the family and consumer science field. MIT provided her with an excellent education and later employed her as a full-time faculty member. They gave her the flexibility to teach what she felt was important for women in society. Attached is a picture of MIT -
Morrill Act of 1862
The Morrill Act of 1862 was the first major act that opened the door to higher education for many people across the United States. The federal government gave each state 30,000 acres for each representative and senator it had. The land was then sold to provide the funds to build colleges, with a particular focus on agriculture and mechanic arts. Vermont congressman Justin Morill sponsored the bill. -
Land Grant University
A land grant university is an institution that is eligible to receive benefits through the Morrill Acts. There are to this day many prominent colleges that are land grant universities. Pictured is Ohio State University, an example of a land grant university. -
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Martha Van Rensselaer
Martha Van Rensselaer was an important woman in home economics. In the early 1900s, Mrs. Rensselaer was invited to create an extensions program for farm wives. There were already programs for farmers, but no equivalent for their wives. Mrs. Rensselaer created a program that helped 10s of thousands across the state of New York. It's success lead to Cornell offering full time home economics classes where she would help teach. -
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Caroline Hunt
Caroline Hunt was an impressive woman. She majored in Latin and took several classes in the sciences. She even taught physics and chemistry at high school after graduation. She then told a strong interest in home economics. She believed that this would "free" woman and equip themselves to take better care of themselves and their families. She became the first professor of home economics at the University of Wisconsin in 1903. -
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville is a Land Grant University in Arkansas. -
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a Land Grant University in Arkansas. -
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Lenna Frances Cooper
Lenna Frances Cooper was a pioneer in the dietetics field. She was employed at a university in the early 1900s and advanced many theories of diet and health that at the time seemed radical but are now viewed as sound dietary practices. One of her greatest accomplishments was co founding the American Dietetic Association. This association, although renamed now, aims at providing health education to the nation and advancing dietetics through evidence backed research. It is still thriving today. -
Lake Placid Conferences
The Lake Placid Conferences were held in Lake Placid, New York. They were used as a meeting place for professionals interested in the home economics field. People would discuss the latest advancements in the subject to broaden their knowledge and take it back to the classrooms and communities they taught. Many influential women attended these such as Ellen Richards and Caroline Hunt. -
American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
The AAFCS is the only association that recognizes professionals in many different fields in the family and consumer sciences. Their over 5,000 members ranging from teachers to deans to dietitians. They use their research and knowledge to help better themselves and other professionals in the FACS field. The association also pushes for different programs and acts that better communities across the nation. Attached is a photo of a young Ellen Richards, a pioneer of the family and consumer sciences. -
Smith Lever Act of 1914
The Smith Lever Act of 1914 used a cooperative extension service through land grant universities and the USDA to reach out to rural farmers who did not attend college. Representatives would go to rural farms and ensure that the farmers were using the most up to date and efficient methods on their land. They also provide support to 4-H clubs and would do certain home demonstrations. -
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Founded in 1917 as the American Dietetic Association, this organization is the most prominent organization for those in the dietetic field. It represents over 100,000 credentialed professionals in the dietetic field and aims to make the nation healthier and to promote the field through evidence based science. The academy puts out recommendations they deemed important for people to follow in order to live a healthy life. Pictured is Lulu C. Graves, the first president of the AND -
Smith Hughes Act
The Smith Hughes Act provided federal funding to public schools to support the teaching of agriculture, trades, and home economics. It provided a more cohesive teaching standard for these topics nation wide. -
Vocational Education Acts of 1963
The Vocational Education Acts of 1963 provided grants to states for the purpose of creating, maintaining, and improving vocational education. The money would go towards jobs that were in demand. Some of the funding would also go towards work studies and support for high school dropouts. -
Vocational Amendment of 1968
The Vocational Amendment of 1968 added more protections with people with disabilities and disadvantages. Vocational evaluations and work adjustment services were authorized to those who were disadvantaged due to race, ethnicities, and other factors. The federal government also increased their share to 80%. The Amendment also forced states to provide a five year plan to the federal government regarding the funds they would receive. -
Special Supplemental Program for Women, Children, and Infants
The WIC program receives federal grants to assist low income households in food needs. Those with low incomes who are pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum with infants and young children. The program provides benefits such as nutrition education, breastfeeding consultations, and a monthly stipend for healthy food. It helps assist these family in making the healthiest choices they can under their circumstances for themselves and their families. Senator Hubert Humphrey sponsored the WIC bill. -
Vocational Amendment of 1973
Also known as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, this act replaced the Vocation Education Acts of 1963. It updated the requirements for what the funds were to be used for, with a strong emphasis going towards service to help those who were the most severely disabled. It also provided a nondiscriminatory and an affirmative clause for government agencies and contractors in regard to potential employees with disabilities. -
Vocational Amendments of 1976
These amendments targeted discrimination. It required states receiving federal funding for vocational education to actively participate in programs that eliminate any gender bias, stereotyping, and discrimination in vocational education. It also allocated funding to non traditional people in homes like single heads of households and persons seeking jobs nontraditional for their sex. Coordinators were also employed to provide training aimed at making vocational education less segregated by sex. -
Carl Perkins Act
The Carl Perkins Act provides federal funding to improve secondary and post secondary technical education programs across the nation. Its main goal is to improve the quality of education that students who enroll in vocational education receive. -
Farm to School
The Farm to School program helps bring agriculture and food education to kids in school. The program partners with schools across the nation and brings in representatives to educate children on topics such as gardening and nutrition. This allows children to have the knowledge to begin growing some of their own food at home as well as make more informed food choices to eat.
