A passionate Home Economist, IFHE President of Honour Margaret E. FITCH passed away on 15^th February 2013

With great sadness IFHE has received the news, that Margaret Edsel FITCH (USA) IFHE President of Honour died at the age of ninety three. She became the first IFHE President from the Region of the Americas and served from 1980 to 1984.

All IFHE Members, who had the opportunity to meet and work with Margaret E. FITCH acknowledged her passion for Home Economics, for education and for the Home Economics profession and associations. She was a committed Home Economist who took over the responsibility of President of IFHE.

Her impressive professional career started with a B.S. Degree Home Economics Education in 1942 and her M.S. Degree Home Economics Education in 1960.

Margaret FITCH’s professional career began as a Vocational Homemaking Teacher in Waynoka, Oklahoma but her main focus and commitment was the Extension Service. To mention only a few of her working fields, from 1977 till 1984 she was Acting Associated Director Cooperative Extension Service, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu. During 1975 – 1977 Assistant Director, Human Resources Development University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu and from 1945 to 70 at the State Leader Home Economics Cooperative Extension Service, at University of Arizona, Tuscon.

Her commitment was outstanding in many Home Economics related associations as well as in other social oriented federations. Based on her extraordinary expertise and admirable personality and friendly manner she was respected and acknowledge by everybody who had the opportunity to get to know her. Margaret E. FITCH put a great deal of effort into all her commitments and offices. She took over the Presidency of the American Home Economics Association in 1974 and the Oklahoma Home Economics Association during the term 1968 – 1969 and the Oklahoma Association of Extension Home Economics from 1967 until 1968. In 1968 Margaret E. FITCH started her commitment within IFHE as a Delegate at the IFHE Council in Germany. She attended several IFHE Congresses and was an elected Member of the IFHE Executive Committee from 1974 – 1978. One year later she was elected as IFHE Vice-President for the Region of the Americas and the IFHE Council elected Margaret E. FITCH as IFHE President for the term 1984 - 1988. Looking back on her period as first IFHE President from the Region of the Americas IFHE set some milestones for the future of IFHE and the UN:

• IFHE established a Resolution Committee, which was chaired by Margaret FITCH.
• During her presidency the IFHE Programme Committees were established: “I wish you could have experienced the excitement of the meeting. The Committee members worked diligently to prepare strategies to carry out Committee goals” (Margaret E. FITCH, IFHE President, IFHE Newsletter March 1983,  page 1).
• At IFHE Council 1982 in Strasbourg an IFHE Resolution was adopted and submitted to the UN asking for an International Year of the Family, which became reality in 1994.
• The 75 anniversary of the IFHE, during which time IFHE had members in 90 countries.
• First bilingual Seminar organised by IFHE in Africa with the patronage of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Women’s Decade in Lomé, Togo. She welcomed the participants and presented the workshop objectives, which was about planning to find solutions in order to improve the living conditions for African women that would contribute greatly to overall African Development (IFHE Newsletter July/ September 1983, page 15).
• Following the death of her mother in 1982 President Margaret FITCH (USA) established the IFHE Fitch Fund.
• XV. IFHE World Congress 1984, Oslo, Norway, theme “Technology and its effect on Living Conditions”.

These IFHE milestones verify the far-sightedness and extraordinary commitment of IFHE President of Honour Margaret E. FITCH. With deep respect we acknowledge her awareness for the most important and extensive developments IFHE initiated under her leadership. Still today we feel the significance and importance of these decisions. Still today her comments during the year 1988 are as meaningful as in former times. “Home Economists have contributed to improving the quality of life in this age of technology change but the need for professional expertise is increasing. For this reason, Home Economists must contribute their insights, intuitions, experiences, research interpretations, philosophies and theories for the betterment of families.

During this period of challenges, Home Economists are preparing to meet the challenges!” (Margaret E. FITCH in the IFHE Congress Report March 1985, page 4)

As the IFHE community we express our gratitude to Margaret E. FITCH, we will keep her in our thoughts and minds and remember her as a wonderful women and an extraordinary Home Economist.

Thank you Margaret E. FITCH!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honour of Margaret to the “Margaret Edsel Fitch Fellowship program fund at Oklahoma State University”. Donations should be made payable to Oklahoma State University Foundation, P.O. Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076-1749.

Honours Margaret Fitch received:

1975 Delta Zeta “National Woman of the Year”

1973 Women of Achievement, University of Arizona Business

1970 Oklahoma Home Economics Association “Professional Award”

1968 Delta Zeta Distinguished Alumnae Award

1960 – 70 Women of the Year, Business and Professional Women’s Club El Reno, Oklahoma

1958 El Reno, Oklahoma Business Woman of the Year.

In Memory of Valentina Ifeyinwa OKARU

IFHE received the following message from Nwakego MOLOKWU Ed.s. Ph.D. Professor of Home Economics Education, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria: “We lost Valentina Ifeyinwa OKARU on Tuesday morning 11^th December 2012. She died in London. It is sad! Really sad!”

Please click here for download the Condolence Letter of IFHE President Carol WARREN

In Memory of Prof. Dr. Maria THIELE-WITTIG,
a great Scientist of Home Economics

Prof. Dr. Maria THIELE-WITTIG has passed away on March 4^th, 2012 in Münster at the age of 74 years. As a scientist and expert of Home Economics, Maria THIELE-WITTIG got involved with Home Economics and Home Economics educaton in Germany and on an international level with extraordinary dedication and with all her heart.

She campaigned for the necessities of Home Economics, domestic economy and education in Home Economics with great energy, drive and extraordinary expertise as a professor at the universities of Duisburg and Münster as well as head and member of Home Economics associations in Germany and as President of the International Federation for Home Economics. She pointed out the changing framework requirements for families, stressed the requirements to families and households in the organization of their everyday life and kept on adverting to the sociopolitical importance of the education in Home Economics.This is also reflected in her numerous publications.

The international networking for the exchange of information and experience, for getting to know each other and for the discussion of different ways of research and education, different cultures of societies and ways of living of families as well as for the development of common strategies was of special importance to her.

“I have always felt that the international work was challenging as well as supporting, rich in experience and giving new insights and perspectives, and I feel great gratitude – and respect – towards all who lead towards these contexts and add to them constructively” - quote by Maria THIELE-WITTIG (Münster 1999).

After studying agricultural sciences in Göttingen, Prof. Dr. Maria THIELE-WITTIG worked at universities in Michigan and Minnesota, USA, for research purposes in the sectors of agricultural science, Home Economics and sociology, after that she received a doctor’s degree at the University of Göttingen.

After working for the Centrale Marketing Gesellschaft (Central Marketing Society) and the Federal Ministry of Nutrition, Agriculture and Forestry in the sector of consumer work and Home Economics, she followed the
call to a professorship for Home Economics and domestic economy at the University of Duisburg in 1973. Later she changed to the University of Münster.

As a member of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hauswirtschaft, dgh (German Society for Home Economics), she was one of the founders of the Advisory Board for International Questions, the German Section of IFHE. It was of great importance to her to integrate the experts of Home Economics and Home Economics education into the international dialogue and to help create it. As a President of the dgh, until the very end, she always accompanied the work of the advisory board with great engagement.

The book “Internationale Perspektiven in Hauswirtschaft und Haushaltswissenschaft – 20 Jahre Beirat” (“International Perspectives in Home Economics and Domestic Economy – 20 Years on the Advisory Board”), published in 1999 shows her expertise, international enthusiasm and acumen.

During the session of the Advisory Board for International Questions of the dgh/German Section of the IFHE on September 3rd, 2010, Prof. em. Dr. Maria THIELE-WITTIG was nominated its honourary member, thus honouring her great engagement for the international work of the IFHE.

Prof. Dr. THIELE-WITTIG got involved in the International Federation for Home Economics, IFHE, rather early. She was a member of the IFHE Executive Committee, Chair of the IFHE Programme Committee, chair of the committee for the development of a statement about Home Economics. She got involved with the presentation of research reports on the IFHE World Congresses and organised the according scientific presentations from nine different countries for the first time for the World Congress in Manila/Philippines. Since then, the presentation of research reports has always been a part of the standard programme of IFHE Congresses.

In 1990 Prof. Dr. THIELE-WITTIG was elected as IFHE President Elect. In that period as IFHE President Elect, the preparations for the International Year of the Family took place. She supported the preparations of the UN secretariat in Vienna in workshops and seminars.

With the IFHE World Congress in Hanover, Prof. Dr. THIELE-WITTIG took over the presidency of the IFHE for four years in 1992 and headed the world association until 1996.

The sociopolitical acceptance of Home Economics and education in Home Economics, also on an international level, and the active participation in discussions in the corresponding committees of the UN agencies from the viewpoint of Home Economics were important goals of her work.

In 1995 she took part in the fourth UN Women’s Conference in Beijing, China, in 1995 and made a presentation in the IFHE Workshop in the NGO forum with the subject of “Potentials of Home Economics and Women in Development“.

Maria THIELE-WITTIG has rendered outstanding services to our world association with her professional life’s work. The IFHE will hold its President of Honour Maria THIELE-WITTIG’s memory in the highest esteem.

Her friends from the IFHE miss her sorely!

Bonn, March 6^th, 2012

Please click here for download the Expression of Condolences on the sad occasion of the death of Prof. Dr. Maria THIELE-WITTIG

During the holidays of Peter and Margaret ARCUS, Canada, in New Zealand, Peter ARCUS arranged for the donation of the two copies of the IFHE History Book.

The first copy was donated to the Alexander Turnbull Library, a part of the National Library of New Zealand.  This Library is located in Wellington, and they were able to make this donation in person.  The photo shows Peter and Margaret ARCUS making the presentation to Rose-Marie TONK, the Collections Librarian of the Alexander Turnbull Library.

The second copy was sent to the University of Otago Library, in Dunedin, New Zealand.  The University of Otago is the location of the School of Consumer and Applied Sciences, which celebrated its 100^th anniversary last year.  The History book will be housed in the Hocken Collection of the University of Otago Library.

Miriam O’DONOGHUE, Chair of the IFHE Programme Committee Consumers & Sustainable Development has received the 2011 Tower Person Award for Consumer Educators.

The award recognises the outstanding achievement of dedicated consumer educators and is hoped to encourage successors. 

Miriam received the award from the founder, Dr. Heiko STEFFENS, at the European Commission Representation in Ireland.

Miriam has been an outstanding contributor to many aspects of consumer education in Ireland and Europe, and has been a productive and motivating force in PERL.

Congratulations Miriam and we look forward to your continuing work!

Pictured are from l. to r.:

Dr. Heiko STEFFENS, Victoria W. THORESEN, Miriam O’DONOGHUE, Aidan CLIFFORD (Director, CDVEC Curriculum Development Unit)

For more information please click here

James McINTOSH (UK) has won a big award for his Chinese TV series - "Food Adventures on the Silk Road", produced by China Food TV and Gourmand International, won the first prize of Awards for Outstanding Digital Radio and TV Programs in 2010.

This award was given by China Radio and Television Association, the national association of radio and television industry in China. The foreign celebrity chefs on the show of 40 episodes are Chef Wan, Yvan Cadiou, Chakall and James McINTOSH, starring with two chinese chefs. This is an extremely prestigious award, the best a food show has ever received at this top event, and a rare success for an international co-production in China.

IFHE mourns Doris R. BADIR  an extraordinary Home Economist and IFHE President 1988-1992.

Doris Renwick BADIR. born January 18, 1924. Died June 7, 2011, at home, after a long illness. BSC (HEc) University of Manitoba (1945); MS Ed Syracuse University (1953); MSc (Econ) London School of Economics (1963).  Honorary doctorate degrees from the University of Alberta (1994), the University of Helsinki (1997), and the University of Manitoba (2005).

Doris became professor at the Macdonald Institute of Home Economics at Guelph University in 1953, and in 1963, travelled to Egypt to advise the UN on the development of a training program in rural Home Economics. Returning to Canada in 1965, she took a teaching position at the University of Waterloo and then moved to Edmonton in 1967 where she served as professor and then dean of Home Economics at the University of Alberta until 1986 when she became special assistant to the president on employment equity until her retirement in 1990.

In 1982, Doris was elected as the Vice-President for the Americas Region for 1982 – 1986, and then was elected President-Elect at the IFHE Council 1986 in Graz, Austria.  She served as IFHE President from 1988 – 1992.

Doris made many important contributions to IFHE during the 12 years she served on the IFHE Executive Committee in various roles.  In 1982, IFHE approved a Resolution requesting that the United Nations designate an International Year for Families (IYF), and from 1982 through 1989 (when the UN finally adopted this Resolution), Doris wrote many letters each year on behalf of IFHE to the United Nations and to other NGOs seeking their support for the IYF. In 1988, she wrote the IFHE response to the UN General Assembly Resolution requesting that NGOs submit proposals describing their potential participation to the International Year of Families in 1994. This IFHE IYF Policy Statement was internationally recognised and acknowledged, and through this document, IFHE gained international recognition as a leading NGO.

Additionally, Doris prepared an accompanying Planning Statement for IFHE activities, which promoted the IFHE activities worldwide in two  directions:

1) activities aimed directly at families, and

2) activities to advocate for families on local, regional, national and international levels. She supported, in cooperation with many other IFHE Members, the organisation of several seminars and working groups of the UN Secretariat for the IYF in Vienna, Austria, and she contributed to a workshop on the equality of men and women in 1990.

At the launch of the IYF at the World NGO Forum in Malta in 1993, Doris  was keynote speaker at the Closing plenary session. "IYF: Action 1994 and beyond”, and in 1994, she was designated as an IYF Patron by the Secretariat of the IYF. The paper written by Doris on “Family as an Environment: an Ecosystem Perspective on Family Life” was published by the IYF as an official publication of the IYF and was distributed widely, bringing further recognition to IFHE as an NGO.

As an IFHE Member and IFHE President, Doris BADIR was very much committed to strengthening the Federation. She learned to speak French in order to work more effectively with the IFHE Secretariat, then located in Paris, and with those French organisations supporting the Federation. Special fund-raising efforts were undertaken during her term to provide the Secretariat with its first copier, first FAX machine, and first computer. 

In 1990, she established an IFHE Committee on Public Health, and invited all seven IFHE Programme Committees to plan and conduct Plenary Sessions and additional concurrent sessions at the IFHE Congress in 1992 in Hanover, Germany.

To promote the integration of students into the IFHE work, she initiated an IFHE Committee on student issues and also implemented the first IFHE Recognition and Appreciation Programme in 1992. When the IFHE History was updated in 1992 by Ellen HANSEN of Denmark, this was prior to the use of computers in IFHE, and Doris undertook to type the document herself!

As IFHE Past President, she chaired the Task Force on Restructuring of IFHE including the revision on the statutory documents, and she chaired the meeting of the IFHE Senior Advisory Committee after it had been formally recognised by the EC at the IFHE Congress in Bangkok.

Doris brought an important scholarly dimension to her leadership in IFHE. In addition to her work during the IYF, she wrote a number of other documents on research in Home Economics, on feminism and Home Economics, and on families as an environment which were widely circulated throughout the world and which were published in several languages. She was regularly invited to speak on these topics at IFHE Regional Meetings and at other conferences in all of the IFHE Regions. Through these activities, Doris not only strengthened the image and reputation of the Federation but she served as an inspiration and as a mentor to many individual Home Economists. 

With the death of President of Honour Doris BADIR IFHE has lost an extraordinary Home Economist, a leading personality, a strong IFHE President and a wonderful woman and friend.

All IFHE Members who had worked together with Doris BADIR acknowledge her efforts, passion and enthusiasm for IFHE and Home Economics. IFHE will remember her expertise, her excellent leadership and vision, and IFHE Members are thankful for her friendship.

It is, indeed, a great loss for not only her family, but also, all of us, the IFHE Members around the world.

God bless her!

Submitted by: Geraldene B. HODELIN (IFHE President 2008 - 2012)

Please click here for download an article regarding the Lifework of Doris BADIR published in The Globe and Mail (one of Canada's major newspaper)

Submitted by: Sue McGREGOR

Obituary for Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kulkanit RASHAINBUNYAWAT
IFHE Vice President Asia (2010 – 2014)

IFHE received the sad news form President of the Thai Home Economics Association Mrs Obcheuy WONGTONG:
“It is our sorrowful regret to inform you that Dr. Kulkanit RASHAINBUNYAWAT, IFHE Vice-President Asia (2010 - 2014) had suffered from Acute Leukemia and passed away on April 28, 2011. Her cremation had taken place during April 29^th - May 2^nd 2011.

Dr. Kulkanit RaSHAINBUNYAWAT served as the former Thai Home Economics Association with high dedication and responsibility. Her untimely decease will be unfortunate loss to the THEA Association and her family.

In July 2008 at the IFHE Congress Dr. Kulkanit RASHAINBUNYAWAT took over the office  as IFHE EC Member for the Region Asia and was elected as IFHE Vice-President 2010 - 2014  at the ARAHE Meeting in 2009.

She served as ARAHE President during the 6^th term from 2004 – 2005.

Based on her professional background Ass Prof. Dr. Kulkanit RASHAINBUNYAWAT was a member of the Faculty of Education at the Kasetsart University, Bangkok Thailand. She received her Masters degree in Home Economics Education at the Mississippi University of Women, USA and her Ph.D. in Vocational Education at he Oregon State University, USA.

On behalf of all members of the International Federation for Home Economics, IFHE President Dr. Geraldene HODELIN sent her deepest condolences to the family of Prof. Dr. Kulkanit RASHAINBUNYAWAT and to the Thai Home Economics Association.

“We all are saddened by this abrupt shocking news. It is, indeed, a great loss for not only her family, but also, all of us, the IFHE Members around the world. We all acknowledge her love and dedication to the IFHE but also her professionalism and knowledge in the field of Home Economics education. She has shown us her passion and enthusiasm in serving for IFHE.  Her sincere devotion and contribution to IFHE will remain in our memories forever."

Submitted by: Geraldene B. HODELIN (IFHE President 2008 - 2012)