History

KAFCS History

What Is A Betty Lamp And What Does It Mean?

The Betty Lamp was chosen for the logo of the American Home Economics Association as the result of a contest in 1926. The Betty Lamp continued as the logo of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) after the name change in 1994. In colonial days, the Betty Lamp provided light for all household industries. Representing the light in the home and the light of the mind, the Betty Lamp is an appropriate logo for AAFCS and all the associated disciplines.

Betty Lamp Image

Early in the 20th century, the Betty Lamp was adopted as a "symbol of learning." The beam of this Betty Lamp symbolizes the following:

  • The need of exact knowledge
  • The appreciation of beauty
  • The spirit of joy
  • The power of strength
  • The blessing of fellowship
  • The satisfaction of achievement
  • The value of service
  • The bond of cooperation