Steele, Marion H. (Marion Harlan), 1904-1985

Marion Harlan Steele (1904-1985) was one of the pioneers of the American home economics movement, which began at the turn of the twentieth century. Ellen H. Richards founded the American Home Economics Association (AHEA) in 1909. Steele championed Richards' philosophy about family, nutrition, and ecology, but especially devoted her efforts to the International Scholarship Program of AHEA (which became the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences--AAFCS--in 1994).

Marion Harlan Steele (1904–1985) was one of the pioneers of the American home economics movement, which began at the turn of the twentieth century. Ellen H. Richards founded the American Home Economics Association (AHEA) in 1909. Steele championed Richards’ philosophy about family, nutrition, and ecology, but especially devoted her efforts to the International Scholarship Program of AHEA (which became the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences-AAFCS-in 1994).

Steele was born on June 23, 1904, and spent her childhood in Elsmere, Delaware. After she graduated from high school, she worked for a local ophthalmologist. Then she attended the University of Delaware’s Women’s College. After graduating in 1928 with a B.S. in English, Steele became active in the Alumnae Association, and was its president in 1933. Furthermore, she served on the executive committee for the celebration of the University’s Centenary, which was held in May 1934.

In 1928 Steele started a career as secretary to Helen W. Atwater, the editor of AHEA’s Journal of Home Economics . After a number of promotions she became managing editor in 1946. Steele held that position until she retired in 1969.

Upon her retirement, colleagues and students made a contribution in Steele’s name to AHEA’s International Scholarship Fund. A book of tributary letters from international students was organized and presented to her. In addition, AHEA’s 1969 Assembly of Delegates passed a resolution of appreciation for her commitment to its organization and the International Scholarship Fund.

During her forty-one years of service to AHEA, Steele developed friendships with professionals, students, and teachers nationally and internationally. Many of those people became well-known for their contributions to the evolution of home economics into its current form of family and consumer economics.

While on the staff at AHEA’s headquarters, Steele resided in Washington, D.C., and every Friday afternoon she returned to her family home in Delaware to spend the weekend. She had two brothers, Leroy Steele and Joseph Rodman Steele. After she retired she moved back home to 112 N. du Pont Road, Elsmere, Delaware. She died on September 23, 1985.

Her alma mater honors her memory and work with an annual symposium sponsored by the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy (CHEP) at the University of Delaware. Additionally, the symposium is hosted by the Delaware Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (DAFCS), the University’s Human Resources Alumni Association, Delaware State University, and Steele’s family. This May event is an opportunity for students to present research papers in a professional forum.

Biographical information derived from the collection and the University of Delaware Archives. The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) generously shared materials and videos tapes from their archives.