-
Early Home Economics
At the age of 13, she earned prizes at the county fair for an embroidered handkerchief and best loaf of bread -
First Woman admitted to MIT
-
Graduated MIT
-
Women's Education Association of Boston
Opening a Woman's lab at MIT. Richards was named assistant director, encouraging women to enter the sciences -
Head of Science
She was head of science section of the society to encourage studies at home to others. -
Assistant Professor (FREE)
Recognized as an assistant professor in chemical analysis, industrial chemistry, mineralogy and applied biology, still without pay. -
Founder
A founder of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae -
Publishing Books and Pamphlets
The Chemistry of Cooking and Cleaning with Marion Talbot -
Closing MIT lab
MIT began awarding undergrad degrees to women on a regular basis so they didn't need the lab. -
Sanitary Chemistry
Assistant Chemist to the nations first Lab of Sanitary Chemistry -
Pamphlet
Food Materials and Their Adulterations -
Free Teaching
Taught chemistry without a title or a salary -
Massachusets State Board of Health
requested her and her assistants perform a survey of the quality of the inland bodies of water of the state. Many were polluted already and this led to the first state water quality standards in the nation -
Water Analyst
Official water analyst for the state board of health -
Opened a Kitchen
Guided the New England kitchen opened in Boston to offer working class families nutritious foods, scientifically prepared at low cost & demonstrate the methods employed -
Lake Placid Conference
called a summer conference of workers in the field of domestic science at Lake Placid, NY. Established standards, course outlines, bibliographies, women's club study guides for "home economics." -
Co-Writer
Co-wrote Air, Water, and Food from a Sanitary Standpoint -
Association Formation
Lake Placid conferences formed the American Home Economics Association, she was elected the first President. -
Retirement
She retired from the association and established the Journal of Home Economics -
Doctorate
Received honorary degree of doctor of science from Smith College and served as a trustee at Vassar
