Repository: UIHistories Project: Dedication - Home Economics - Challenge of Home Economics [PAGE 48]

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When I tried to answer this question, I faltered. My quick reply was that the challenge for a Home Economist in Business (or HEIB, as we call her in these alphabetizing days) is to be or become a "person." But does a "person" mean to you what it means to me — both as a word and as an idea. The dictionary helps unite us broadly. It defines a person as "a human being who is conscious of his social relations to other human beings toward whom he acts/' and further, "the actual self or individual personality of a human being: to assume a duty in one's own person." That's better. A home economist does require special qualities and training; but I'll not go into that, for it is spelled out in the home economics curriculum. Above all she must be alive and able and willing to grow; she must have the inquiring mind; and she must have the mental and physical health to carry out her job with others. For all of us live with and for people — even more than we live for ourselves. And so the chellenge for an HEIB is to be a person who assumes responsibility, knows the ingredients that make up her job, then masters the delicate trick of putting those ingredients together. My thesis is that a good home economist can become a good home economist in business, and the other way around. Each requires that the candidate be well-grounded in the knowledge and skills of her field in home economics. But she must have far more than that. Just as higher education and research call for home economics women of top character and training, so does business. To qualify for membership in Home Economics in Business (HEIB), a 34-yearold section of the American Home Economics Association, an applicant must: be a member of AHEA; hold a degree in home economics or a major in home economics from an accredited college with specified high standards; be connected in a home economics capacity with a business run for profit or with an association supported by business run for profit. There now are nearly 2000 HEIB members. HEIBs work in many industries. I suspect that there's not a facet of home economics subject matter for which an HEIB does not have a responsibility — family economics and home management; family relations and child development; food and nutrition; housing and household equipment; textiles and clothing. Actually, every home economist contributes to and builds on the work and stature of the other, whether she is in business or n o t At SUNKIST we learn from all groups and are mighty proud to be able to give and take from our professional associates. The keystone of our program lies in offering convincing useful 48