HOME ECONOMISTS IN THE COMMUNITY

Sylvia Cholodnuik Receives University of Saskatchewan Alumni Humanitarian Award, 2007

The U of S Alumni Humanitarian Award is presented annually in recognition of distinguished community/volunteer service at home or abroad that has made a difference to the well being of others.

Sylvia is best known for the development work that she has done in Africa. Seeing the opportunity to help in the community when travelling in Africa, Sylvia went to Tshelanyemba, Zimbabwe, where she helped to coordinate the construction of a canteen and a bakery. Two years later she branched off on her own to return once again to build a playroom in a local hospital. She then began a series of projects which involved refurbishing primary schools in the Tshelanyemba area. Most of the funding of the school projects has been through Rotary.

For several years, Sylvia spent her annual leave in Africa helping to repair and refurbish the local school. Project Love provided notebooks, erasers and pencils. She works with women and their families encouraging self-involvement resulting in enhancement of their communities. Sylvia also does presentations to local community groups and schools to raise awareness on development issues in third world countries.

Her extraordinary dedication has helped provide the children of this community with access to better education and health care, as well as opportunities to become sustainably self-sufficient. Her tireless commitment to raising local awareness of this community in Saskatoon through public presentations, lectures, and fundraising were recognized by the YMCA with the 2000 Woman of Distinction award for Community Development and Social Activism and in 2006 with the CBIE Lewis Perninbam Award in International Development.

Excerpts from On Campus News, May 19, 2000

Jean Oddie Wenhardt: Member of the Order of the British Empire

The Order of the British Empire O.B E. was created during the First World War in 1917 by King George V. It was intended to honour the large number of people in the British Isles and other parts of the Empire who were contributing valuable service to the war effort. From1918 onwards there were both military and civil categories as George V wanted to reward services in a much broader sense including arts and sciences, public services outside the Civil Service and work with charitable and welfare organizations.

Jean Wenhardt received the Member of the Order of the British Empire (M.B. E.) in the 1940s for her work with the Junior Red Cross in Saskatchewan during World War II. She was presented the award by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan at the time, A. P. McNab.

There are now over 100,000 living members of the Order throughout the world. Once every four years approximately 2000 members attend a service a St. Paul's Cathedral to celebrate the Order. Jean, who recently moved to Victoria in 2004, traveled to London with her son Wes and daughter-in-law Paula to attend the May 26, 2004 service. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were in attendance and Jean was fortunate to have a seat very close to the front.

Jean's story gives us insight into the home economics profession during the forties.

Jean Oddie was born in the farming community of Milestone in southern Saskatchewan. where she completed elementary and high school graduating in 1932. For the next six years she enjoyed diverse employment as she worked to raise money to continue her education. She became as a country correspondent for the Regina Leader and the Regina Post for $3 a column (this calculation included only what the papers chose to print and not the headlines). She clerked in a grocery store and ice cream parlor and graded or candled eggs taken in exchange for groceries. Living on the farm it seemed logical to attempt raising chickens. Young roosters brought 27 cents each or, if fed much longer, 50 cents. It was a rather slow method to build a bank account.

In 1938 she accepted an opportunity to live with friends and attend the U of S in Saskatoon. Jean shared accommodation for $15 dollars a month as well as helping with the housekeeping duties. Tuition at that time was $20 a class or if paid in full, up front, $90. With lab fees, health services and student activities, $113 got her through the bursar's office for that year. At Christmas the CNR offered a special rate of $5 return, Saskatoon to Regina, on the midnight train. The idea was to lay your return ticket from the fall away and that would take you home in the spring. Sharing second or third hand texts helped to cut total expenses.

In 1941 the then School of Household Science had 41 graduates. Youth training grants had been cut off and few companies were hiring demonstrators. The opportunities were in teaching and hospital dietetics. Jean chose the hospital route and this meant another year of study.

The new graduate was accepted for the hospital internship at the Royal Jubilee in Victoria, BC. This was significant because Jean's mother graduated from nursing there in 1906. The hospital internship required twelve months of service. Participants supplied their own uniforms and shoes. For twelve months of eight to ten hour days interns received their board, room and laundry but no cash. Completing her training there she spent the next few months at the Shaughnessy Military Hospital in Vancouver as an assistant dietitian and then returned to Saskatchewan as Director of Junior Red Cross.

Since the inception of the Junior Red Cross in the school system the provincial Director had always been a nurse. The commissioner decided that with the great emphasis on healthy eating, the new appointment should be a nutritionist. As Director, Jean's duties were many and varied. Her primary responsibility was to distribute work to the branches, supervise the work of the hospital and, in her spare time, to preach nutrition. Through the department of education, the schools were encouraged to organize junior branches.

The larger schools encouraged each classroom to have its own organization. These, added to the many one room rural schools, brought the provincial number as high as four thousand per year. Their purpose was to carry on a health program as well as citizenship and service to the community. Their effort in service was to be used in the work of specifically Junior programs.

At that time in Regina there was a twenty-eight-bed cottage hospital for crippled children funded and operated by the Junior Red Cross. In the beginning it served orthopedic cases such as clubfeet and dislocated hips. Through the years the service grew to include many other conditions. These were long-term stays, sometimes months and, on occasion, a year or two. Each of the applications for care had to be investigated from a financial and medical standpoint. This was of course prior to Medicare. The protocol required a physician's assurance that under proper treatment the child's condition could be improved. The municipal authorities were asked to ascertain whether or not the family could support the expense themselves. It was a unique and essential service at that time.

It was a big task to keep in touch with the branches. This was done through correspondence, newsletters and a radio program. This was broadcast every Saturday morning from CKCK Regina, CHAB Moose Jaw, CFQC in Saskatoon and CKBI in Prince Albert. The children were keen and tireless, as were their teachers. Their ideas to raise money were boundless. The Junior Red Cross received gifts from two dollars to two hundred or more from their efforts, which amounted to thousands in a year.

Then there was the war effort. The Juniors sent large sums of money for the relief of children in China, Europe and Russia as well as medication for the children in Britain. Prisoners of war camps were a reality and the Juniors provided money for educational material and musical instruments for several years. During the heat of bombing the British decided to establish nurseries for children in rural areas to remove them from danger. Saskatchewan Juniors took on two such nurseries and agreed to supply clothing. One year a fashion show was held to display the items before they were shipped overseas. Patients from the hospital acted as models. It created great interest and fun. With such an intense program there was not much time for a concerted effort in nutrition.

The provincial government, at the urging of the Provincial Nutrition Committee, approved the appointment of a provincial nutritionist to the staff of the Department of Public Health in 1942. A year later Jean was appointed to the position. It was pioneer work and a program had to be established. Tremendous effort was put into publicizing the actual existence of the service in various government departments and the province at large. Newspapers, magazines, radio, meetings and convention were very useful and all played a part. Conventions were also very worthwhile. After three years of asking for permission to have a display at the Superintendents of Education conference, an invitation came to give an address. This was considered a break through.

Through the Department of Education emphasis was put on promotion of a healthy, hearty school lunch in the many small rural schools existing at that time prior to the organization of the larger school units. Rather than setting nutrition up as a separate subject the teachers were encouraged to integrate the concept with other classroom subjects. In the Department of Health, nurses and medical health officers were allies and were kept up to date with activities. Horticultural events provided excellent sources to spread the word along with the Department of Social Services. As time went on and the program expanded a consultant was approved for that service. Two hospital consultants were also added to the staff to visit small hospitals and assist with their therapeutic diets and food service in general. Regional nutritionists, where they could be provided, made much more direct contact with the public and had supported vital programs.

In the late 1940s Jean was granted a year of educational leave and attended the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan. There she received her Master's in Public Health Nutrition. In lieu of a thesis, the school required two months of fieldwork, viewing and participating in active programs. The Rockefeller Foundation provided the fellowship for travel to New York City and State, Washington DC, Georgia, Tennessee and the upper peninsula of Michigan. Jean returned to Nutrition Division and continued work there.

In 1951 Jean resigned and married Arthur Wenhardt, a research officer at the Swift Current Experimental Farm. There she was active in the Consumers Association, the University Women's Club as well as church and community affairs. The Wenhardt's three children were born in Swift Current. In 1962 the family moved to Saskatoon where Art joined the faculty of Agriculture at the U of S. Jean was a founding member of the Saskatoon Home Ec Homemakers group and continued her activity in the church and community. Gardening, food preservation and flower arranging were special interests. In later years genealogy and traveling were primary activities. After selling the family home Jean spent three years in Luther Riverside Terrace, a retirement residence in Saskatoon, and in January of 2004 relocated to Victoria. Jean's daughter Lorna lives in Victoria. Her sons, Wes and Murray, reside in San Jose, California and Toronto respectively.

Jean Wenhardt passed away December 25, 2007. She was 93.

Liz Delahey Inducted into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame, August 2002

Liz Delahey, journalist and home economist, was born April 5, 1932 on the family farm at Lilac, Saskatchewan. After taking her elementary and secondary schooling in Saskatoon she graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics degree. She was president and senior stick of the Home Economics Student Society and a member of the University Students' Representative Council.

She married Arthur Delahey and moved to his home district in the Moose Jaw area where they farmed for five years. Here she worked for a time as Women's Editor of the Moose Jaw Times Herald and volunteered as a 4-H leader. The arrival of four children and her husband's work with Federated Co-operatives, which involved several moves, interrupted her career although she kept in touch with home economist colleagues through the professional association. She served as secretary, registrar, president elect and finally president (1973-75) of the Saskatchewan Home Economics Association, now known as the Association of Saskatchewan Home Economists (ASHE).

While her children were growing up she helped establish babysitting and craft classes in the community and worked in youth and women's work in the church. In 1975 she returned to journalism as Women's Editor and later Farm Living Editor of The Western Producer. Her work there made her well-known and highly respected across rural Western Canada. Her understanding of women's issues and of farm people was demonstrated in her clear and concise writing. In 1988 she became editor of Western People, the magazine insert of The Western Producer. In this publication she made an important contribution in encouraging creative writing across the West. In was also in 1988 that she received a life membership in ASHE in recognition of service to the organization and profession.

When she retired in 1990 she did consulting work in the agri-food industry, often representing the pulse industry in Eastern Canada while she was a partner in Food Focus. During this time she also wrote a food column for The Western Producer and worked with colleagues to develop the Emmie Oddie website homefamily.net which has developed a large following for its combination of home and family advice. She also helped establish the Edith Rowles Simpson Recognition Fund through the Canadian Home Economics Association Foundation which assists home economist further their training in the money management field.

Liz maintained her association with home economists nationally by organizing a workshop for the Canadian Home Economics Association convention held in Regina on Issues Facing Rural Families in the 80s and later co-chairing the CHEA conference in 1992 when it was held in Saskatoon.

In 1998 she co-chaired ASHE's 40^th anniversary luncheon celebrated in conjunction with a Chef Recipe Contest and Cook-Off that was initiated to mark the event.

She served as chair and later co-chair of the ASHE Saskatoon Branch International Development Committee on a project with the Ghana Home Economics Association to write three home economics reference books. She later participated in a feasibility study and helped design a proposal for a series of teachers' workshops designed to improve the quality of home economics teaching in all regions of Ghana. More than 1,000 teachers and resource persons participated. She made seven trips to Ghana over the life of the two projects. The Ghana Home Economics Association recognized her commitment and support with the Jewel Award in 1998.

Liz has served the local community on the Saskatoon YWCA board and is currently winding up a six year term on the board of Family Service Saskatoon.

In August 2002 she was inducted into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Merry Beazely Receives University of Saskatchewan Presidents Service Award at Fall Convocation, October 2001

Merry Beazely, Executive Assistant to the Dean of Pharmacy and Nutrition, was the recipient of the President's Service Award at Fall Convocation, 2001.

The President's Service Award recognizes exceptional contributions by non-academic staff members. It honours those who, through dedication and commitment, have inspired others in enhancing the University community through extraordinary service. It includes a $1,000 prize and commemorative ring or pin.

Merry earned two Bachelor of Sciences degrees from the U of S; Biology in 1970 and Home Economics in 1975. She then went on to complete a one-year graduate dietetic internship at Royal University Hospital. Before joining the U of S staff she served as Editorial Assistant for the Botanical Gazette, a scientific journal published by the University of Chicago Press under the editorship of Dr. Taylor Steeves of the Biology Department.

Merry has worked at the University for over 25 years. She joined the U of S staff in 1976 as Administrative Assistant in the College of Home Economics. Her duties included helping to develop and implement new Family and Consumer Studies and Foods and Nutrition programs; assisting in nutritional teaching; making enhancements to the research program, student orientation and counselling, public relations and budget planning; and administering scholarships and awards.

In 1987 Merry became the Administrative Assistant in the College of Pharmacy and was instrumental in developing the Nutrition undergraduate program. In 1998 she was appointed Executive Assistant to the Dean of Pharmacy and Nutrition and took on added responsibilities, including helping the College through accreditation review of its professional programs and the U of S Systematic Program Review of its graduate and undergraduate programs.

Over the years Merry has also been an active contributor to many university initiatives including Services for Students with Disabilities and the Managed Rehabilitation Program.

Merry's co-workers have many positive things to say about her: "She inspires others with commitment, enthusiasm, extra effort and dedication." "Merry is an exceptional individual that I and others have come to know, respect and admire. She is, without a doubt, one of the most dedicated individuals I know at the university."

Lillian McConnell Inducted into Sask. Agricultural Hall of Fame, August 2001

Lillian McConnell is a home economist who taught farmers and homemakers how to use electricity and natural gas safely and efficiently. Lillian obtained her Bachelor of Household Science at the University of Saskatchewan in 1950.

After graduation she became assistant home editor at Country Guide magazine. In 1955, she moved to CFRN-TV in Edmonton, where she talked about food and other home economics subjects.

In 1956 McConnell became the first Penny Power, an extension home economist with Sask Power to help farm families learn how to make the best use of electricity and natural gas. She spread the information at fairs, through workshops, and through newspaper and magazine stories and columns including a column in Farm, Light and Power magazine.

She has been active in the Saskatchewan and Canadian home economics associations and has been honoured by both these groups for her achievements. She has also been active with the Consumers Association of Canada and Saskatchewan Women's Network.

Congratulations Lillian!

Excerpts from: Western Producer, March 8, 2001

Elsie May Quick Recipient of a YWCA Women of Distinction Award

Elsie May Halvorson Quick of Regina received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2001 YWCA Women of Distinctions Awards Dinner in May. Elsie May has been called a born teacher. Her entire life has been devoted to developing and communicating her love of the art and craft of needlework. She still possesses the sweater she knit at the age of six, to wear to first grade. As a Gold Cord Guide, she obtained every needlework badge available.

As a adult Elsie May became a home economics teacher and later a librarian, but continued her passion for needlework, especially the reclamation and rejuvenation of the Hardanger cutwork embroidery of her Norwegian ancestors. She was the first to teach Hardanger embroidery to cross-country stichers for the Embroidery Association of Canada in 1983 and in June, 2001, she was the first Canadian to teach Hardanger at the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa. Iowa is the centre of Norwegian culture in North America. All this was accomplished while acting as the partner of a busy spouse and raising a lively and successful family.

Elsie May's volunteer activities today include the Home Economics for Living Project, the Scandinavian Club, Bazaart, UNICEF and her church.

This year marked the 20^th Anniversary of the Regina YWCA Women of Distinction Awards. Congratulations, Elsie May.

Excerpts from: The Leader Post, 2001

Eileen Hartman Receives Arbos Award

ASHE member Eileen Hartman was presented with the first ever Arbos Award for Contributions to Education and the Teaching Profession at the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation Spring Council banquet on April 27, 2000 in Regina.

The Arbos Award is the highest honour that the Saskatchewan teaching profession can bestow. Each Arbos Award entails honorary life membership in the STF.

Eileen's teaching career spanned 37 years in the Leader School Division. During that time she taught almost every grade level as well as having been involved in a wide variety of courses, including a one-year stint as acting principal.

While teaching Home Economics in 1972, Eileen developed the Teen/Human Sexuality units for the division's middle years' health program. She served as chair, secretary and treasurer of the Saskatchewan Home Economics Teachers' Association, and during that time presented at numerous summer short courses and workshops related to Home Economics. She has also been active in the Association of Saskatchewan Home Economists, serving as secretary.

Eileen has been a regional college instructor in Home Economics and has sat on the U of S Senate and the Advisory Board to the College of Education. Her community involvements are similarly wide-ranging and reflect her on-going interests in the business, religious and social life of the province.

Currently, Eileen is a Parenting Skills Educator in the Southwest Health District of Saskatchewan where she facilitates parenting classes developed to meet the needs of the community. She also established Rhyme-Tyme, a program of rhymes, songs and stories to help parents bond and have fun with their children.

Source: Saskatchewan Bulletin, Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation, May 10, 2000.

The Gwenna Moss Teaching and Learning Centre Established at the University of Saskatchewan

Located at the very heart of the campus in the Main Library, the Gwenna Moss Teaching and Learning Centre provides services, support and resources for all teachers at the University of Saskatchewan. The Centre, which opened during the summer of 2000, is named in honour of Dr. Gwenna Moss, a home economist who has made a remarkable contribution to the University of Saskatchewan.

"Diversity" is the term which could be used to describe Gwenna's career at the University, beginning as Professor of Extension in the Extension Division, moving to the College of Education as Professor of Continuing Education, followed by appointments as Dean of Home Economics (1982-86), Associate Vice-President, Academic (1986-1990), Acting Vice-President, Academic (1990-91), and returning full circle as Professor of Extension in 1992. Along the way she has taught graduate courses in adult and continuing education and research methods, and undergraduate courses in history, professional development, and research methods in home economics. Her publications are likewise diverse, including evaluation, needs assessment, women academics, distance education, and women in developing countries.

Gwenna's work has been recognized by the community and by her peers. She is the recipient of the United Way's W.S. Milne Memorial Award for the Outstanding United Way Volunteer (1999), the University of Saskatchewan Alumni Association Award of Achievement (1998), and the Saskatchewan Association for Lifelong Learning Roby Kidd Award for outstanding contributions to the field of adult education (1996). Her current community involvement includes serving as Chair of the Board of Oliver Lodge Special Care Home. She is also active Hope Cancer Help Centre, a survivor-let support group for women who live with cancer.

Gwenna taught at the University of Ghana from 1975 -1977 under the Guelph Ghana project. From 1983 to 1988 she was a member of the ASHE Saskatoon Branch International Development Committee working on the Text Book Project and travelling to Ghana twice. The Ghana Home Economics Association presented her with the Jewel Award for outstanding service in 1990. She was a board member of the Saskatchewan Home Economics Association from 1973 -1975 and served on various committees.

A native of Saskatoon, Gwenna continues to believe that Saskatoon is one of the best places to live and work.

Margaret Crowle Inducted into Saskatoon Women's Hall of Fame

In celebration of the 1999 anniversary of Person's Day on October 18, Margaret Crowle was inducted into the Saskatoon Women's Hall of Fame.

Margaret Crowle spent her life working in, and with, the community both as a volunteer and as a professional home economist. Margaret has been an innovator and a communicator with the highest standards of leadership.

Born and raised on a farm near Pense, Saskatchewan, Margaret received her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics degree (1949) and her Masters of Science, Nutrition (1951) from the University of Manitoba. In 1953 she joined the University of Saskatchewan, Extension Division as an Extension Specialist and taught courses throughout Saskatchewan on foods, nutrition and home management.

Margaret married Leigh Crowle and they had three children. Margaret worked as a freelance home economist and continued giving workshops and food demonstrations, as well as supervising 4-H homecraft clubs and authoring a cookbook.

In 1974 Margaret returned to full time employment at the College of Home Economics, University of Saskatchewan and was Dean from 1988 - 1990. She developed courses in family and consumer studies, developed teaching modules for Seniors Teaching Seniors and worked to promote home economists as valued professionals. In 1979 she established the Family Money Management Counselling Service in a store front office.

Margaret has also worked tirelessly as a volunteer for the provincial branch of the Consumers' Association of Canada, the Canadian Home Economics Association, the Association of Saskatchewan Home Economists, served on the board of the Postal Service Customer Council of Canada Post and the Canadian Standards Association.

One of Margaret's other interests was music and she earned her ACTM Piano Performers from the University of Toronto. She taught music for many years, served as President, Saskatoon Registered Music Teachers Association and as a board member of the Saskatoon Music Festival.

Since her retirement Margaret has become a passionate golfer, and is currently President of Greenbrye Ladies Golf.

Throughout her career, Margaret has demonstrated her knowledge of issues, her sense of fairness and her strong belief in the need for improved consumer education and information.

The Saskatoon Women's Hall of Fame was established in 1996 by the Saskatoon Council of Women and now has eight inductees. Person's Day commemorates the 1927 Persons case in which five Alberta women appealed their case to the Supreme Court of Canada where, on October 18, women were finally declared persons, and were, therefore, eligible for appointment to the Senate of Canada.

Millie Reynolds and Millie's Place

Saskatoon home economist Millie Reynolds was one of the initiators of Millie's Place, a child care facility for infants and toddlers of students attending Nutana Collegiate in Saskatoon, where she taught for several years. Following is the story of its establishment.

"So what is going to happen next?"asked Bonnie Kuzniak, a member of the Nutana Collegiate Student Parent Group. She was responding to a January 1994 survey which indicated the barriers to teen parents achieving academic success centred around infant/ toddler child care and housing. Questions posed to the Student Parent Group staff coordinators indicated student parents needed more information on parenting.

Bone's question prompted staff coordinators to take action and a vision was developed. Sandi Mair, a public health nurse, and Millie Reynolds, a home economics teacher, contacted people interested in and knowledgeable about teen parenting and The Saskatoon Friends of Students and Kids, Inc. (SAKs), a charitable, non-profit organization was formed in June 1994.

A search was made in the community, including Grace Westminster United Church, to determine what, if any, existing facilities and/or organizations could address the needs identified by the student parents for childcare and/or a group home. The results indicated that for reasons varying from not enough space to lack of play area, the community could not respond to the student parents' needs.

SAKs linked with the Saskatoon Housing Authority and Cress Housing to assist student parents in finding safe, affordable and quality housing. Originally this relationship was frequently used, but now links made by Nutana Collegiate have moved this responsibility there.

At the same time, a proposal was made to Health Canada for a grant to establish a Parenting Program in the collegiate. The proposal was approved and the program began in the collegiate in May 1995. The SAKs Parenting Program has continued to receive grants since. There are usually about 65 parents, male and female, who consistently participate in the programs and fellowship offered. In December 1994, a proposal for space for a child care facility within the collegiate was made to the Saskatoon Board of Education and accepted providing SAKs paid for the renovations.

In May 1997 a letter from the Child Care Division, Department of Social Services granted financial support for operating child care for 12 infants (children up to 18 months). Support for 5 toddlers (from 18 months to 29 months) was later added.

Efforts were underway to raise $140,000 for the renovations and $20,000 for furnishings. Thanks to the faith in the worthiness of student parents, the community responded with major assistance from Muttart Foundation, Federated Cooperatives, Saskatoon Foundation, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, and Anonymous. This was augmented by support from others, too numerous to name, but included service clubs, individuals, corporations, churches, SRC and the Parents Association. The support was much appreciated and indicates the depth of commitment within the community.

The renovations were started for Millie's Place in March 1998. Staff was in place and all was in readiness for an August 23,1998 opening. Then a torrential rainstorm caused water backup in the collegiate flooding Millie's Place. Since infants and toddlers, were to be cared for here, extensive clean up and replacement of carpet and linoleum was required. Childcare was delivered in the home economics room and auditorium for about 3 weeks.

Millie's Place has no shortage of parents seeking spots for their infant or toddler and participating in programs. The spaces have always been filled and a long interest list exists and is being looked into.

Of the student parents who used the services in the first year of operation, 7 graduated from high school. Of this group, 6 have continued education in some form. After four and half years of work, the Saskatoon Friends of Students and Kids, Inc. (SAKs) have helped address the needs of some of the student parents attending Nutana. Mike LeClaire, principal, calls the SAKs Parenting Program and Millie's Place the umbrella over many of the service-oriented programs offered within the collegiate.