Ellen Supports FCCLA Environmental Ambassador STAR event
Watch for future information on how FCCLA Advisors can use the history of the FACS profession to introduce the new FCCLA STAR Event Environmental Ambassador to their students. Ellen once wrote
“The quality of life depends upon the ability of society to teach its members how to live in harmony with their environment–defined first as family, then the community, then the world and its resources."
Ellen was noted in President Obama’s Women’s History Month proclamation in March of 2009 as one of four women who have helped save the planet. Over 100 years ago, Ellen was realizing that clean air and clean water were significant issues for healthy families. Her life was spent pursuing this in an effort to contribute to the quality of life for individuals, families and their communities.
What would Ellen do today?
Who can answer that question?
What could an Environmental Ambassador do?
Lucy M. Salmon, professor of history at Vassar—herself a renowned innovator—observed: “Mrs. Richards was among the very first to realize that the home affords an opportunity for scientific investigation and she became our first great pioneer home missionary… She discovered rich veins of interest where others had seen only prosaic humdrum duties, menial service, and uninspired, uninspiring household direction.”
Bringing science into the home, Richards hoped to “attain the best physical, mental, and moral development” for the family, which she believed was the basic unit of civilization.