3/18/2005

Homemakers R Us

We spent the latter part of our day at school in professional development meetings, discussing a variety of topics and arriving at few (if any) conclusions. Typical. However, one thing mentioned was the possibility of having an "activity hour" built into the monthly or bi-monthly school schedule next year. In that event, they are asking for teachers to step forward and suggest/volunteer for clubs or organizations. In light of my thoughts this past week, I was wondering about a "homemakers' club" (for lack of better terminology). I did make the mistake of mentioning my budding idea to a couple other teachers. By and large, I got laughed at. I shall also have to be more careful how forceful I am in my philosophical supports. . .I may step on toes.
Anyway, I remembered seeing a "Future Homemakers of America" sign in one of the rooms at a school I substituted for last year. The organization's creed was beautiful:
We are the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.
We face the future with warm courage and high hope.
For we have the clear consciousness of seeking old and precious values.For we are the builders of homes, Homes for America's future,Homes where living will be the expression of everything that is good and fair,Homes where truth and love and security and faith will be realities, not dreams.
We are the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.We face the future with warm courage and high hope.

As you can see, they've changed the name to the "Family, Career and Community Leaders of America." How PC. At any rate, I was getting really excited about the possibility of starting a chapter here. Then I discovered 2 things. First, to host a chapter, the school must offer Family or Consumer Science related courses. We don't. No Home Economics class. (That's what's wrong with our test scores. . . .) Secondly, only students currently or previously enrolled in said courses may be full members. *sigh* So much for wishful thinking. But why can't I do something similar? We don't have to have national recognition to teach girls how to make a home and take care of a family. . .although I would like a name better than Homemakers R Us.

2 comments:

Naomi Joy said...

Wow. I like how the creed meshes with your Novalis quote. :-)

You amaze me.

Anonymous said...

I was in the Future Homemakers of America club when I was in high school. One of the highlights of our year's program was the annual tea. The home economics department owned complete sets of silver service - coffee pots, silver trays, silverware, etc. They had lace tablecloths, vases, cloth napkins, and the whole nine yards. We practiced making dainty little treats, then invited teachers to a tea. Those were the good old days. I suppose they have sold off all those unnecessary supplies - where was I for the sale? The same way my childhood church got rid of all their silver serving dishes and the donut making supplies - a Lutheran church with no homemade donut sales! There's a loss of tradition for you! Anyway, we happen to live in the hometown of Millard Filmore. An interesting bit of trivia is that before his rise in politics, his wife spent her afternoons in her own living room teaching small groups of young girls about homemaking. So, your idea is a re-birth of "old and precious values".