FCCLA History

In February 1917, President Woodrow Wilson signed the first national vocational education act into law. This act created federally supported state-run programs of vocational education that included home economics (known today as family and consumer sciences education). The establishment of vocational home economics education laid the foundation for the development of Future Homemakers of America (know today as Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) as an integrated part of the program.

As early as 1920, high school home economics students belonged to home economics clubs. The clubs were sponsored by adult groups interested in home economics education, such as home economics education supervisory staffs of state departments of education, the American Home Economics Association and home economics departments in colleges and universities.

The clubs had many different names and structures, and there was no organized cooperation between the state groups. Only those clubs who worked under the sponsorship of the American Home Economics Association had any affiliation with a national group.

In 1943, as a result of increased interest in one program for high school students, the AHEA, in cooperation with the Home Economics Branch of the U.S. Office of Education Division of Vocational and Technical Education, appointed a committee to study high school Home Economics clubs. The committee concluded that all existing programs could be strengthened by a unified effort. In June of that year, Home Economics leaders from 29 states met in Chicago, Illinois, and discussed plans to develop one national organization.

On June 11, 1945, a group of national officer candidates from several sub-regions and a group of advisers reconvened in Chicago to draw up a temporary constitution. Additionally, they selected a name for the proposed national youth organization: Future Homemakers of America (FHA). A sister organization, New Homemakers of America (NHA), was founded for black students in 16 states where schools were segregated by state law.

The AHEA, now the American Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), and the U.S. Office of Education, now Department of Education, under the direction of its Home Economics staff in the division of Vocational and Technical Education, became co-sponsors of the organization. The National Education Association (NEA), through the department of Home Economics, and the American Vocational Association (AVA), now the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), through its Home Economics division, became cooperating groups.

FHA started with 42 affiliated state associations, 2.487 chapters, 92,516 members, and a $7,200 laon from AHEA. Within the first year the loan was repaid ad FHA was incorporated in the District of Columbia as a self-supporting, private, nonprofit organization. Operating funds came from the national due of 10 cents per member.

FCCLA Historical Figures

Edna P. Amidon is considered one of the most influential leaders in the founding FHA. She was a futuristic educator and strong promoter of junior and senior high school Home Economics education for more than 50 years. She served as chief of the Home Economics Education Service, Division of Vocational Education in the U.S. Office of Education, and as the organization’s first board chair. Dr. Hazel Frost was the first national adviser for both FHA and NHA.

February, 1917
The signing of the first National Vocational Education Act by President Woodrow Wilson brought into being federally supported, state-conducted programs of vocational education, which included home economics. Through home economics education, the foundation was laid for the development of the organization as an integral part of the program.

June, 1945
Future Homemakers of America was founded in Chicago as the national organization for home economics students in the secondary schools, both public and private.

November, 1945
The first issue of the official magazine, TEEN TIMES, was published, featuring the first national officers.

October, 1946
The national headquarters was moved from the American Home Economics Association where it had been housed since October 1944 to office space in the U.S. Office of Education.