Future Homemakers of America (FHA)

A national, vocation-oriented organization for high school students enrolled in home economics and related courses. Founded in 1945 as a sister organization of the FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA, FHA’s primary goal is “to help youth assume their roles in society through Home Economics Education in areas of personal growth, family life, vocational preparation and community involvement.” Sponsored jointly by the American Home Economic Association and the U.S. Department of Education, FHA has more than 10,000 chapters in middle, junior and senior high schools in every state, but its membership has dropped steadily from a peak of nearly 550,000 in 1965 to fewer than 250,000 today. There are two types of chapters: one for consumer education, homemaking and family life education; the other to prepare students for jobs and careers.