For Immediate Release
Contact:
Christopher Flynn
(703) 716-1309
cflynn@fcclainc.org
FCCLA Celebrates 70th Anniversary
Organization sees change while continually emphasizing
Family and Consumer Sciences education
June 1, 2015 – When Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) celebrates
its 70th anniversary June 11th,, the organization will commemorate not only its founding in 1945,
but also its ability to adapt to changes while keeping a commitment to Family and Consumer
Sciences education for seven decades.
Founded as Future Homemakers of America in June 1945, the organization had a focus to prepare
teens for their roles as homemakers in the post-World War II era. Shortly after, National
Homemakers of America was founded for black students in 16 states where schools were
segregated by state law. The two organizations merged and held their first joint national meeting
as the Future Homemakers of America (FHA) in 1965.
In 1999 FHA members voted to change the organization’s name to Family, Career and
Community Leaders of America, a move that symbolized its modern focus on leadership and
career preparation while also honoring a foundation in preparing both men and women to have
strong families, successful careers and to be community leaders. Today, the organization’s
program focus includes financial management, career planning, leadership development and
community service, while also meeting the increasing need for highly trained employees for the
culinary, hospitality, early childhood, and fashion/interior design industries.
“Our ability to adapt to the needs and growth of career opportunities and prepare our students for
career and family success has enabled FCCLA to continue be a vibrant career and technical
student organization,” said Sandy Spavone, executive director of FCCLA. “Today’s youth want
to be involved. They want to make a difference in their own homes, careers, and communities.
Working together we are excited to celebrate the organization’s 70th anniversary and look forward
to continued success.”
FCCLA will begin celebrating its founding anniversary on June 11 and continue through July 8
when the organization hosts a rally on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC with 5,000 youth and
adults in attendance to showcase support for Family and Consumer Sciences education and
celebrate 70 years of youth career preparation and leadership. The rally will feature special guest
speakers and the largest performance ever of the “GimmeFive Dance” created by First Lady
Michelle Obama to promote healthy lifestyles, which is in keeping with the FCCLA national
conference’s theme of “Together We Are Healthy.”
FCCLA has involved more than 10 million youth since its founding in 1945. The organization is
proud to celebrate its rich history and looks forward to continuing to focus on the preparing youth
to be leaders in their families, careers and communities for many years.
About FCCLA
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), is a dynamic and effective
national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address
important personal, family, work and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences
education. FCCLA has 200,000 members and more than 5,500 chapters from 49 state
associations, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
FCCLA: The Ultimate Leadership Experience is unique among youth organizations because its
programs are planned and run by members, and it’s the only career and technical in-school
student organization with a central focus on family. Participation in national programs and
chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in families, careers and communities.
For more information on FCCLA or to arrange interviews with FCCLA leaders, students and
alumni, please contact Chris Flynn at cflynn@fcclainc.org or (703) 716-1309.