A Brief History of AAFCS
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.
Read our Body of Knowledge
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