Evening star., 1937-12-15
SCHOOLS TO LOSE
NOTED PIONEER
Miss Emma Jacobs to Re.
{ tire-Founded Home
Economics Course.


IS BY JESSIE FAINT EVANS.
Miss Emma S. Jacobs, native WASH
angtonian, product of our local school
gsstem and pioneer leader in home
economics, is submitting her resigna-
ton today to the Board of Educa-
tfon as head of the public schools
department OF home economics.
Effective January al, when she will
be 10 years old, Miss Jacobs has pur-
sued her particular field of work un-
der the administration of six super
tntendents
Washington's public school system
was the first in the United States to
make courses In home economics a
part OF its regular courses in educa-
tion, Miss Jacobs pointed out, adding:
In this field it has not only been a
pioneer but a model for other school
systems. From the very beginning,
when the department concerned itself
chiefly with cooking course, it in
GUIDED dietetic values and food Sc
lection as well as its preparation, serv-
ice and the necessary cleanup proc
ess afterward.'
E Not only has Miss Jacobs given half
Z century of service to home econom-
ics in the school system but she was
Instrumental in starting similar
courses in Maryland. She also was
active in an advisory capacity in
planning the home economics depart
nent Of the George Washington Uni
versity and Of the University of Mary
land. The latter university conferred
on her an honorary degree of master
spf science for distinguished service
70 the State of Maryland in making
9her subject an esteemed one in its
educational curriculums"
81 Miss Jacobs also is a charter mem
sber Of the now Nationwide Home
Economies Association and was the
FIRST president of the department of
the home economics association Of
.the National Educational Associa-
gtion when it was created.
Active in War Time.
! During the World War Miss Jacobs
worked with the Red Cross, having
charge of the preparation and distri-
button Of the emergency food supplies
which were issued to private homes,
hospitals and institutions by this
agency during the influenza epidemic.
In more recent times of national
distress, when free lunches We're, for
q time, made available to needy school
children under the auspices of the
w. P. A., Miss Jacobs set up the
machinery for their local administra-
tion under the direction and juris-
diction of Robert l.. Haycock, first
assistant superintendent of schools.
Loyal service for an ideal is no new
attribute in Miss Jacobs family. Her
parents, who were born in Alexandria
County. Va, were descended from for
bears who were active participants in
Colonial history.
Miss Jacobs first attended jefferson
School, then Franklin School and was
graduated with Central Schools sec
ond class in 1885, when it was located
on O street near Seventh.
A graduate from the Normal School,
Miss Jacobs was one of two graduates
selected by superintendent of schools,
DR.. William B. Powell, to head
hitherto unheard of educational ex-
pertinent which was being urged on
the city. Its proponents we're Mrs.
Cleveland Able, mother of DR.. Tru-
man Able of this city, and Mrs. Archi-
bald Hopkins, motivator and guiding
spirit of Washington's Home for In
curables and its alley cleanup pro-
bof Oiy
should be taught cooking and sewing
In Washington's public school system
and boys manual training.
Blazed New Trail.
"At first" Miss Jacobs says, "I was
assigned to the cooking end of this
project. Well do remember the ad-
smonition to me concerning the task
assigned me, If you do not contin-
suously put into this more than the
manipulation and production of a
good dish, this experiment will not
continue as part of public educa-
ktion here, or cause other educational
systems to follow in our wake
She was but 19 when she took this
first teaching assignment. From Miss
Anna L. Woodberry, who conducted
one-time famous school of cookery on
H street, near the Medical School of
: the George Washington University,
ashe received help and inspiration in
Improving her own technique.
= To the libraries, educational and
ascientiflc institutions and various gov
ternmental agencies of the city Miss
IanAhs Maat for nd l,ol, al