Be sure to read the project list at the end of this piece. “Training my nephew” is my favorite!
The Caddo Herald
June 7, 1940
Vocational Home Economics in School is Well Worth While
Home Economics as a formal subject was first introduced in the public schools of the U. S. A. in 1870. At that time the subject embraced only sewing and cooking. Up to that time and later, education for girls was not considered of vital need. Most of their training was in the home from mothers. They early learned the art of cooking, sewing, weaving, spinning, and other household arts. They worked alongside mothers until they established homes of their own and the process was repeated with their daughters.
In the last ten years need of education of women has been recognized. Many girls attend high school, then college. Later they work in public. This art training has been transferred from home to school.
The Federal government recognized the need for training giirls in Home Economics and in 1914 passed the Smith-Lever act which provided for teaching home economics in secondary schools and colleges.
Home Economics has progressed from merely the teaching of cooking and sewing to training in child care, selection and construction of clothing, selection and preparation of the foods, study of housing and of furniture, personal development, living together in the family, home nursing and health. Its purpose is not only to train the girl to be a better homemaker in the future, but a BETTER homemaker NOW.
Miss Lucretia Haggard is the Vocational Home Economics teacher in Caddo schools and in a series of articles is giving a resume of the project of her classes this year:
Home Projects
Summer projects are taken by each girl enrolled in Homemaking classes during a school year. These are special home responsibilities assumed by the girls. Here they are:
Planting flowers and caring for them, Jena Cochran, Joye Ballard, Lazonia Morris, Mary Lee Wood, Ann L. Stuart, Blanche Armstrong, Billy Ruth Baxter, Gertrude Sims.
Improving bedroom, Bonnie Evans.
Improving the living room, Matilda Smith.
Caring for my clothes, Doris Anderson, Doroty Gypson, Jean Tomlinson, Ann Marie Hill, Charlene Adkins, Ludia Ellis, Loyse Choate, Mary Elizabeth Boydstun, Eunice Speers, Elwina Sweet, LaRuth Lewis.
Planning and making clothes for summer, Aileen Nix, Dorothy Lindsey, Lousille Gypson.
Saturday baking, Frances Harris, Sue Szenasi, Frankie L. Hodges, Eula Nell Mahana.
Helping with family sewing, Leta Freeman.
Genereal cooking, Mary Alice McNatt, Marie Morris.
Help with canning, Mozelle Harris, Mary Ellen Head, Donna Lee Sluder.
Caring for my room, Gladys Simpson.
Training my nephew, Elizabeth Smith.
General housekeeping, Mary Elizabeth Wheeler.
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