The Wisconsin Association for Home and Community Education, Inc., is a non-profit educational organization comprised of member associations in 59 counties in Wisconsin.
The organization is unique in that members extend the information they receive from the University faculty and other reliable sources to the membership and community. Program planning and leadership training are provided by a collaborative effort of WAHCE, Inc. and the UW-Extension Family Living Program.
The UW-Extension faculty serve as advisors to both the state and county HCE Associations. Education programs are developed after careful study of statewide concerns.
The roof of the home symbolizes our past heritage with Extension Homemakers. The letters H (Home) C (Community) E (Education) make it a suitable logo by the state, county, and club. The house without walls confirms a commitment to membership open to all regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, handicap or national origin.
Our Goals are:
- To provide continuing education for members and others on issues that will strengthen families and communities.
- To develop and improve leadership skills of members.
- To build coalitions with other organizations and agencies having similar objectives and concerns as WAHCE, Inc.
- To promote friendships and understanding with all people of the world.
Our Heritage:
During World War 1, 15 emergency home demonstration agents began work in 17 counties to teach the use of wheat, sugar, and meat substitutes. Nellie Kedzie Jones, the third State Leader of Home Economics Extension worked tirelessly for 15 years to have home agents established in counties and Home Demonstration Clubs organized throughout the state. Records show that in 1932 she organized 690 clubs in 43 counties. It was under her guidance that the project leader system originated.
The first meeting to consider the formation of a state Home Demonstration Council was called by State Leader, Blanche L. Lee in 1939 during farm Home Week on the UW-Madison campus. A state Home Demonstration Advisory Committee met June 3, 1939 to elect officers. The first official meeting of presidents of county Home Demonstration Councils was held January 30, 1940, 22 counties were represented. The purpose of the council was to:
Provide representation of rural women on state committees concerned with issues which affect home and families in rural communities. Develop an awareness of national and international interests and needs. Develop leadership abilities of rural women. Facilitate statewide acquaintances of rural women.
In 1969, the Wisconsin Home Demonstration Council changed its name to the Wisconsin Extension Homemakers Council. In 1993, the organization followed the lead of the national association and became the Wisconsin Association for Family and Community Education. The following year the state association voted to withdraw from the national association and chose the name, Wisconsin Association for Home & Community Education, Inc.
In the past 60 years there have been many other changes in the organization. Membership today includes both rural and urban members and is open to men as well as women. Although changes in technology, life-style and the role of women and men has brought about changes in programming, our valuable partnership with Extension continues and the goals set in 1940 are as important today as they were then. We continue to care about families and communities: encourage members to assume leadership responsibilities and strive for international understanding and friendship.
Webmaster: Donna Zarovy
Updated April 2026
url: http://www.wahceinc.orgEdit