A history of the development of extension home economics programs for rural women in Tennessee, 1910-1939, with application to the development of similar work in Iraq

Abstract

This historical and comparative study was done to trace the evolution of Extension home economics work in the United States, espe-cially Tennessee, and to make consequent applications of findings to developing Extension programs for rural women in Iraq. Periods studied in Tennessee included: (1) 1910-1914, Prior to the Smith-Lever Act; (2) 1914-1919, Passage of the Smith-Lever Act through World War I; (3) 1920-1929, Adjustment and Pre-Depression; and (4) 1930-1939, Depression and Recovery. Problems faced during the development of Extension home economics in Tennessee ranged from illit-eracy and food shortages to war and depression. Recovery followed each emergency or crisis and staff numbers expanded, contracted and, then, expanded again. The size of staff in Tennessee increased from the employment of one woman, Virginia P. Moore, doing home economics work in 1910 to 87, including an assistant director, supervisors, specialists and county workers, by 1939. Surveys were conducted at the outset by a presidentially appointed Country Life Commission and, later, by U. S. Department of Agriculture to determine the needs of rural women. Subjects stressed included, among others, such things as food production and gardening, marketing, preserva-tion and preparation, health, clothing, mattress making, home improve-ment and recreation. Characteristically, agents first tended to be rural school teachers who knew something about home economics, were employed by boards of education and, somewhat later, could not be married. College degrees eventually became a requirement after legislation began to provide supplemental funds. Historical periods studied in Iraq included: (1) Brief history of Extension service in Iraq: 1917-1973; and (2) Iraqi Extension Services in 1974 to present. Problems faced by Iraqi Extension paralleled early ones in Tennessee. Food shortages, illiteracy, war, drought and depression were always problems as is difficulty with transportation to this day. Recoveries in Iraq have been tied to revolution as Extension, excluding home economics, underwent various major changes. Iraqi home economics Extension actually begain in 1972 after the decision to set up a rural womens department within the General Director-ate of Agricultural Extension Services under the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reform. Suggestions for Iraqi home economics Extension were made for: (1) surveys to determine needs of rural women in Iraq; (2) inclusion of women for home demonstration work at the administrative, supervisory, specialist and province levels; (3) inclusion of both rural women and girls in Extension programs; (4) considering agents from local areas to assure early acceptance; (5) legislation to provide additional funds to hire adequate personnel and provide appropriate transportation, facili-ties and supplies needed; (6) encouraging rural women to share responsibility for uplifting the country as it develops in the future; and (7) including recreation with the educational program to make rural life more enjoyable. Recommendations were made for use of findings and further re-search