"Fitter Families for Future Firesides: A report of the Eugenics Department of the Kansas Free Fair, 1920-1924" (5)

"Fitter Families for Future Firesides: A report of the Eugenics Department of the Kansas Free Fair, 1920-1924" (5)

198. 3. History The project for making competitive examinations of "human stock" was worked out by Mrs. Harry T. Watts, of Audubon, Iowa, the originator of the Baby Health Examination movement, and Dr. Florence Brown Sherbon of the University of Kansas, who had also been a pioneer worker in this movement. It was not until 1920 that a Fair executive was found, in Phil Eastman, Secretary of the Kansas Free Fair, who had sufficient faith in the idea to finance its demonstration. In September, 1920, the first Fitter Family competition was held at the Kansas Free Fair at Topeka, where it has been repeated each subsequent year. The promoters now feel that the project has passed the experimental stage and that the time has come to assemble accumulated data and critically review principles and methods of procedure. METHODS OF PROCEDURE. The methods of procedure are given in detail for the guidance of groups who desire to make a similar effort. PUBLICITY. 1. Associated Press announcements of plans, awards, and story of results. Special stories in leading state papers, especially the Farm and Home papers. 2. Letters to Public Health Nurses, Full time Health Officers, Farm Bureau and Home Demonstration Agents, Grange, Farmers' Union, and other rural organizations. 3. Letters to teachers of Sociology and Biology in state schools and colleges who are interested in Eugenics. 4. Letters to executive officers of medical and other organizations who are, or should be, interested in positive Eugenics. 5. Speakers on State and local programs pertaining to social [illegible due to tear in original], health, and racial betterment. Jun 1928

  • ID: 10196
  • Source: DNALC.EA