Interview with Edith Lacy, November 11, 1984

Interview Summary

Edith Lacy was a pioneer in 4-H and extension work in Kentucky where she worked from 1924 until 1959. She was born in 1893 in Madison County, Tennessee near the city of Jackson. She states that her father moved to Texas so that she and her sisters could attend the College of Industrial Arts (now Texas Women's University). Lacy later attended graduate school at the Teacher's College of Columbia University. In 1924, she began doing junior club work and extension work in Long Island. She recalls that she worked for one year as the Assistant Agent and one year as the county agent.

It was while working in Long Island that Lacy met Ms. Mertle Weldon, Kentucky State Leader for Home Demonstration Agents. Ms. Weldon hired Lacy to work with the girls and women in 4-H Clubs. Lacy states that she wrote bulletins, visited counties and met with home agents, and worked with leaders in the 4-H Clubs. She recalls the other women in 4-H Club work at the time including Lena Burnham Davis. Lacy talks about her work as State Chairman of the International Farm Youth Exchange Program (IFYE) starting in 1953. She states that she experienced many challenges, but enjoyed the work very much. She describes visits former exchange students in Ireland, England, and Scotland, and discusses contacts with other former students.

Lacy mentions changes in extension during World War II, and recalls that they emphasized canning and freezing along with using methods of preserving food. She remembers canning demonstrations in court house yards, and that girls made dresses out of flour sacks. Lack talks about attending 4-H camps and sleeping in the fairground seats. She describes her trip to Europe in 1959 to attend a meeting of the Associated Country Women of World in Edinburgh, Scotland, and she discusses her involvement in the community after retirement. Lacy was honored by Progressive Farmer magazine as the woman of the year in January of 1947.

Interview Keyword

Kentucky's Cooperative Extension Service

Interview LC Subject

Agriculture. Lacy, Edith, 1893- Lacy, Edith, 1893- --Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky. Cooperative Extension Service

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