A Brief History of Our Profession and the

American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences

Family and Consumer Science is an applied field that brings together knowledge from many different disciplines. It generates knowledge as well as uses concepts from other fields and applies this information for the betterment of all aspects of family life.  Family and consumer science professionals are not content to observe life; they are dedicated to helping families better their situations.*

Historical Background

The historical beginning of family and consumer science dates back to 1899 when 11 people gathered in New York for a conference at Lake Placid. At this confernce the name "home economics" was adopted for this new field.  Ten annual Lake Placid Conferences were help before the National organization, the American Home Economics Association (AHEA) emerged in 1909.  The new organization was chartered on

January 1, 1910.*

*Home Economics Education

M. L. Blankenship & B. D. Moerchen

Waveland Press, Inc. 1979

Page 2

Our Founder

In 1909, Ellen H. Richards founded the American Home Economics Association (later renamed the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences). Ms. Richards was the first female graduate and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an activist for consumer education, nutrition, child protection, industrial safety, public health, career education, women's rights; purity of air, food, and water, and the application of scientific and management principles to the family. Her professional experience and foresight led to the formalization of the family and consumer sciences profession.

Celebrating 100 Years

The American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) kicked off its 100th anniversary celebration at the AAFCS 2008 Annual Conference & Expo, Evolving Technology: Impact on Individuals, Families and Communities, June 19-22 in Milwaukee,Wisconsin. From now until the 2009 Annual Conference June 25-29 in Knoxville, Tennesee, AAFCS and the Washington Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (WAFCS) will be hosting a variety of Centennial events, including rich conversations with family and consumer sciences (FCS) experts in local communities, informative exhibits, and community service projects. To learn more about the AAFCS Centennial, click here for the AAFCS Homepage.

Our Symbol

In 1926, the American Home Economics Association adopted the Betty Lamp as a symbol for the association. The lamp derived its name from the German words "besser" or "bete," meaning "to make better." The Betty Lamp produced comparatively good light for its time and was used widely by early American colonists. Mildred Chamberlain of Chicago submitted the design stating, “The lamp in colonial days provided light for all household industries." Similarly, the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) provides enlightenment through leadership in thought and action for family and consumer sciences professionals.

Our Focus

Today, AAFCS strives to improve the quality and standards of individual and family life by providing educational programs, influencing public policy and through communication. More than 7,000 members work to empower individuals, strengthen families and enable communities.

Our members focus on an integrative approach to the reciprocal relationships among individuals, families and communities, as well as the environments in which they function. The association supports the profession as it provides leadership in:

AAFCS is the only national organization representing family and consumer sciences professionals across practice areas and content specializations. Our members provide guidance and practical knowledge about the things of everyday life, including human growth and development, personal behavior, housing and environment, food and nutrition, apparel and textiles, and resource management, so that students and consumers can make sound decisions and enjoy a healthy, productive and more fulfilling life.

AAFCS Website, www.aafcs.org