Identifier

MA 7

Dates

1913-2008

Extent

4.42 linear feet (3 record boxes, 1 document case, 1 oversize flat box)

Abstract

The South Dakota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Records document the history and development of home economics and family and consumer sciences in South Dakota from 1913 to 2008. The collection includes administrative records, correspondence, conference materials, publications, photographs, and scrapbooks that reflect organizational activities, professional standards, educational initiatives, and advocacy. Together, the records illustrate the evolution of the discipline and the role of professional associations in advancing family and consumer sciences at the state and national levels.

Historical Note

The South Dakota Home Economics Association was founded in November 1913 when Eva Dawes, the first home economics instructor at the University of South Dakota, was appointed by Dean Parish of the South Dakota Education Association to organize home economics teachers across the state. The inaugural meeting, held in Sioux Falls, was attended by 16 teachers, and Dawes served as the association’s first president for three years.

In 1994, following a nationwide survey by the American Home Economics Association recommending updated terminology, the organization was renamed the South Dakota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

The association’s purpose is to advance education, science, and research in family and consumer sciences, establish professional standards, and provide leadership on social, economic, and psychological issues. It sponsors seminars and conferences and advocates for legislation aimed at improving home and family life.

Content Notes

The South Dakota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (SDAFCS) Records document the evolution of home economics and family and consumer sciences organizations at both the state and national levels. The collection spans from 1913 to 2008 and includes records from predecessor organizations such as the National Association of Extension Home Economists, the South Dakota Home Demonstration Agents Association, the South Dakota Home Economics Association, and the South Dakota Association of Extension Home Economists. Materials include meeting minutes, officer handbooks, annual conference programs, newsletters, reports, correspondence, scrapbooks, constitutions and bylaws, financial records, award documentation, and photographs.

The records trace the activities and organizational changes of home economics professionals, including local and national conference proceedings, program development, and educational initiatives. The earliest materials document the formation of the South Dakota Home Demonstration Agents Association and its leadership, while later records highlight the organization’s transition through multiple name changes, reflecting shifts in the professional scope of family and consumer sciences. Of particular note are correspondence files related to early officers such as Eva Dawes, as well as detailed meeting and committee records from the South Dakota Association of Extension Home Economists, which illustrate the structure and governance of the association from the 1940s through the 1990s.

The collection also contains materials related to professional development and recognition, such as award programs, scholarship information, and membership records. Scrapbooks and photographs document conferences, special events, and member activities. Conference materials and strategic plans from the 1990s and 2000s illustrate the association’s continued focus on leadership, education, and public engagement in family and consumer sciences.

These records document the professionalization and history of home economics in South Dakota, the expansion of educational outreach through the Cooperative Extension Service, and the development of the family and consumer sciences discipline nationally. They provide valuable insight into the leadership, governance, and community service of South Dakota educators, particularly women, who advanced the field through teaching, extension work, and organizational involvement.

SDSU Archives and Special Collections

This document is a descriptive inventory of the collection in the SDSU Archives and Special Collections. It contains:

  • An overview of the collection, including information about the person or organization and a brief description of the materials and subjects found within.
  • A detailed inventory listing, organized by boxes and folders.
  • Information on how to access the materials, including any restrictions or special conditions.

In most cases, the materials in the collections have not been digitized and are not available online. If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at:

Language

English

Publisher

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Rights

In Copyright: This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, publicity, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.

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