The International Federation for Home Economics Distinguished Service Award honors members for their outstanding contribution to the Federation and the home economics profession. The 2024 recipients are Juanita Mendenhall, CFCS, CFLE from the United States and Lilha Lee from South Korea. The award will be presented to Mendenhall and Lee during the Closing Celebration at the XXV World Congress 2024 in Galway/ Ireland in June.
Mendenhall was nominated by the IFHE-US affiliate and the Caribbean Home Economics Association for her active involvement with their organizations and her significant influence on projects and activities that have furthered the profession and provided global outreach to numerous countries outside of their borders. Recipients are selected based on their demonstration of modelling excellence in scholarship, professional conduct, and integrity; encouraging, inspiring, and supporting colleagues, community and/or students; demonstrating and fostering professional competencies; contributing to the work of IFHE; promoting a climate of respect and collegiality; and advocating for the profession.
Mendenhall has been a member of IFHE for 46 years. Some of her contributions to IFHE include service as member of the Executive Committee (1996 – 2004), Senior Advisory Committee (2004 – Present), Congress Program Planning Committee, and as Vice-President, Region of the Americas (1998 – 2002). She has missed only one IFHE Council meeting since becoming a member in 1978. She was instrumental in the initiation of the IFHE-US affiliate in 1998 and served as the first President (1998 – 2004). Mendenhall created the Disaster Assistance Partnerships Program (DAP) to provide technical, material, and financial assistance to areas affected by natural disasters. Since DAP’s inception, Mendenhall has served as Coordinator rebuilding/assisting home economics programs in developing countries, collaborating with several home economics organizations, and maintaining the Partnership as an IFHE Programme Committee.
Mendenhall earned a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Education and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Indiana University. She has been a role model for home economists both in the United States and internationally and served in leadership positions in various home economics related organizations on the local, state, national and international levels. She was actively employed for over forty years as a classroom teacher at the high school, university, and community levels, as well as worldwide. Since retirement, she has continued to serve as a volunteer in a variety of roles. From training teachers for the profession at the local, state, national and international levels to public policy initiatives, she has demonstrated superior passion for the value of home economics.
Mendenhall continues as President Emeritus of International Home Economics Services (IHES) and her work has been recognized with over twenty-five prestigious awards from involvement in the profession and other organizations, including the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). Awards include six different Teacher of the Year Awards, two AAFCS Leader Awards, the AAFCS Wiley-Berger Award for Volunteer Service and the AAFCS Distinguished Service Award.
Mendenhall is a mentor and role model whose life exemplifies distinguished service to the profession. Throughout her career, she has passionately pursued and modeled her personal mission to “apply Family and Consumer Sciences (Home Economics) research-based knowledge and best practices to improve people’s well-being throughout the world.”
Mendenhall will travel to Ireland with family members and IFHE-US colleagues to receive the award at the World Congress in June. Congratulations Juanita on this prestigious honor!
