Martha Van Rensselaer

Due to her successes, Cornell started full-time home economics courses in 1908, and Van Rensselaer and Flora Rose were invited to head the Department of Home Economics. Martha was American Home Economics Association president from 1914-1916. During this time, she headed the NYS 4-H program. Martha was influential in developing pamphlets on nutrition and other home economics areas used in early 4-H programs for girls. Van Rensselaer was considered a leading authority on women and family issues, and she published many texts and articles. During WWI, she directed the Home Conservation Division, U.S. Food Administration. She participated in several White House Conferences on youth and families. In 1923 the League of Women Voters recognized her as one of America’ 12 most important women.