Home Economists to Tackle Family Issues : Geraldine Ferraro to Deliver Keynote Address at Group’s Meeting

More than 5,000 home economists, other family life professionals, exhibitors and media representatives from every state in the nation will meet June 24-27 in Philadelphia for the 76th American Home Economists Assn. Annual Meeting & Exposition.

More than 100 sessions, discussion groups and business meetings will focus on AHEA priority issues as they relate to family functions. Current AHEA priority issues include support for family research; support for child care and services for the young, elderly and handicapped; and support for higher and secondary education. The meeting’s theme is “Freedom for Families; Independence for Individuals.”

National and international home economics leaders will begin the four-day national meeting at 9 a.m. June 24, at the first general session in the Philadelphia Civic Center with former Democratic vice president nominee Geraldine Ferraro. In her keynote address, “Freedom for Families--the Road Ahead,” Ferraro will share her views on the public policy issues of concern to home economists and America in June, 1985, and the years ahead.

A highlight of AHEA’s national meeting is the Exposition, which runs concurrently with the annual meeting program. It is a showcase for more than 200 nationally known firms and organizations presenting the latest in consumer education materials, new products and services for professional home economists and a preview of consumer and homemaking equipment and information that will be introduced to American families in the months ahead.

AHEA is a scientific and educational association of professionals. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for families. AHEA represents nearly 33,000 home economists employed by privately and publicly owned firms, school systems, federal and state governments, colleges and universities, community service agencies, media groups, cooperative extension service units and research agencies. AHEA also has 52 affiliated state associations, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.