Atlanta Daily World

Home Economics Association Meets In Philly June 24-27

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Anyone who still doubts that today's homemaker must be a woman of many talents should read through the topics for the 1958 Annual Meeting of the American Home Economics Association.

When some 4,000 home economists gather in Philadelphia, June 24-27, they will exchange ideas and discuss problems facing the homemaker and families today. Some of the topics to come under the scrutiny of these professional people are: rural and urban family spending, preserving food by ionizing radiation, finishes of textiles, the homemaker's role today, a handicapped homemaker's problems of child care and food preparation, and being professional in a supermarket. The aim of the home economists is to contribute to the well-being of the community through the well-being of families. And well-being today, like the talents of homemakers, covers a broad field.

It means that a home must be first of all a place where individuals can live happily together and develop to the best of their abilities; it must be well-managed, up-to-date, comfortable, convenient, healthful, and attractive; it must provide opportunities for creative living and for sound citizenship and respect for others. To contribute to all these aspects requires sound education and training, many and varied efforts, and constant alertness to new ideas and new information. Such information the home economists expect from their annual get-together.

For a week, the home economists will exchange ideas, discuss research and new developments. They will also see the latest in equipment and services at the large exhibit accompanying the meeting. When they return to their professional positions in education, business, extension service, institution administration, research, and social welfare and public health, they will put this information to work. The home economist in business may advise her company on what products the homemaker needs to be more efficient or how existing products can be modified to suit the homemaker better. The teacher will return to her high school or university and incorporate the ideas into her teaching, and the home economist in extension work will have new inspiration for the families in her area.