Gertrude Warren was introduced to Extension when teaching home economics at Teachers College, Columbia University, in New York. She came to Washington in 1917 to give leadership to USDA girls canning programs. She soon expanded these to cover other subjects and developed the model for 4-H club project work. She wrote many bulletins and publications and is credited with first using the 4-H name in a federal publication in 1918. Warren visited many foreign countries to help them establish their own 4-H programs and was instrumental in the development of the International 4-H Youth Exchange. She was involved in the establishment of the National 4-H Foundation and National 4-H Center.
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“…other tasks of like nature are now being performed by members of the 4-H Clubs with interest, pride and efficiency.”
Warren deliberately used the term 4-H Clubs in the 1918 bulletin “Organization and Results of Boy’ and Girl’ Club Work” to promote use of the 4-H name for Extension youth clubs. This statement was the first use of the 4-H name in a federal document.
My 4-H Story
