A
Brief History of Our Profession and the
American
Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
Our
Founder
In
1909, Ellen H. Richards founded the American Home Economics
Association. 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.
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:
- improving individual, family and community well being;
- impacting the development, delivery and evaluation
of consumer goods and services;
- influencing the creation of public policy; and
- shaping social change.
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
