Members of the Illinois House of Representatives recognized the 100th anniversary of the McHenry County Home and Community Education (HCE) organization on Monday with the passage of an honorary House Resolution sponsored by State Representative Steve Reick (R-Woodstock).
McHenry County formed its first homemakers group in April of 1918 with a purpose of providing ongoing research-based educational programs to the communities in the county. The official name of the organization changed many times over the last 100 years, but the group has always been fondly known simply as the “McHenry County Homemakers.”
Upon its establishment in McHenry County, 300 women came together and viewed the organization as an important source for knowledge in important areas such as how to be a better homemaker, raise the quality of their lives and the lives of their families, and contribute to the community. In 1924 the group assumed responsibility for organizing 4-H Clubs and was involved in the effort to have every farm and small town in McHenry County enjoy safe running water systems in their homes. The Homemakers were also active in the push to have each McHenry County farm have electricity in both the home and the barn.
Click here to read the resolution.