Cleveland County Homemakers Trace First 50 Years

Tar Heel Homemakers newspaper, January-March 1986 issue.

Cleveland County Extension Homemakers used the theme “Growing Through Extension Homemakers” as members took a reflective members look at their organization over the past 60 years at Achievement Night. Members told about educational programs and club work through skits and exhibits from the 1920s through the 1980s.

Pearl Warlick, county council president, presided and gave a brief history of Extension Homemaker work in Cleveland County from 1915 to 1985.

Home demonstration work in Cleveland County began January 1, 1915, under the leadership of Mrs. Susan O. Elliott Weathers. The work was mostly canning and the clubs were called canning clubs. Work progressed slowly as the agent traveled in a buggy and could only contact a few women.

In the early years there was some objection to college-trained homemakers as the experience housewife was thought to be better qualified to train and help women and girls. This barrier was gradually broken down as women gained a better understanding of the services being offered.

The greatest contribution homemakers made in World War I was the preparation of new dishes from the food that was available. The leaders were very active in Red Cross work and knitted many sweaters and socks for the soldiers.

The programs in these early clubs were on home improvement, better methods of cooking and sewing, and better sanitation and lighting.

In 1928 the county federation, now called county council, was organized. Eleven clubs were started in 1947. Most of the club members were farm women.

The Cleveland County Council on Negro Home Demonstration Clubs was organized in the fall of 1947.

Early club programs included food production and conservation, care and use of pressure canners, storage of food, and nutritional needs for all family members.

Club programs during the later years, included home management, clothing, house furnishings, family relations, housing and nutrition.

In 1966 the two councils were combined into one and the name was changed from Home Demonstration to Extension Homemakers.

Miss Jessie Ann Wingo began work with the clubs on July 1, 1959, and Mrs. Nancy Abasiekong came to the county September 1, 1977.

For the past few years emphasis has been placed on energy conservation, curbing inflation, effective parenting, and changing eating habits for more healthful living.

There are currently 18 Extension Homemaker Clubs with 262 members in Cleveland County.