Ellen Swallow Richards

Arkansas has so many dedicated teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences and nearly 75% of them were at the 4-H Center this week for inservice training. Their enthusiasm was contageous and exciting. Annette Hayes of Acorn High School poses here with “Ellen”. She represents the many FACS teacher who will be supporting the Centennial this coming year.

Earlier this week, nearly 300 Arkansas Family and Consumer Sciences teachers met at the 4-H Center near Little Rock. What a beautiful, peaceful place this is for a training session and such a beautiful, pastoral drive to the Center. Ellen would have loved it. We showed the DVD of Ellen’s Life and Legacy and then watched her life unfold for us with Joyce’s portrayal of three stages of Ellen’s life. Many teachers indicated that they learned new facts about our founder, and others said they were reminded of all they had once learned in college ( when history wasn’t quite as interesting.) The DVD, as well as the portrayal makes the history come alive for many. Each of the teachers in attendance received their very own copy of the DVD. Joyce encouraged all of the teachers to use the DVD in their community to promote Rich Conversations about our history. Several teachers said their advisory committees would all enjoy the story of our founder. The photo on the right is just one of the many gift baskets that were in the Silent Auction to raise funds for the association. In the first picture are Suellen Ward, the FCS Program Manager, Arkansas Department of Workforce Education, Joyce as Ellen, and Rod Duckworth with the Arkansas Department of Workforce Education

Earlier this month, Family and Consumer Sciences professionals in North Carolina gathered in the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to witness her signing a salute to our 100th Birthday.  FCS teachers will officially launch an entire year of celebration during their 2008 Summer Conference in Greensboro.  In each of the 100 counties in North Carolina, they will be sponsoring Rich Conversation events to promote all our history as well as spotlight current activity in family and consumer sciences in North Carolina.

Ellen (Joyce) and Pam Swallow, along with Theresa Glasheen at the DVD signing in Milwaukee at the AAFCS Annual Meeting.  Theresa is one of our new, young professionals who recently completed her Masters and will begin teaching middle school in North Atlanta this fall.  We love her enthusiasm and excitement for our profession.

LtoR  Joyce as Ellen, Pam Swallow and Sue Buck

What a great time we had at the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences 99th Annual Meeting in Milwaukee.  We launched the Centennial Challenge Campaign with  fun and festivities and raised over $50,000 on the spot.  We are well on our way to our goal of $850,000 for our fund.  Pam Swallow, first cousin of Ellen’s (three times removed) joined us for the Gala on Friday night and was an instant hit.  Members enjoyed the Gala which was set to open the Centennial Year Celebrations.