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I remember my grandmother Margaret as a poised and sophisticated woman who would gently tuck stray strands of hair behind my ears. I was her namesake, and I admired her, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that I discovered that she was a respected academic and diplomat who promoted home economics education programs across the globe.

I recently discovered that my grandmother attended Mount Allison University in 1932, obtaining a BSc in home economics with a major in nutrition. Intrigued and hoping to find a photo or two from her youth, I made my way to the Archives of Mount Allison’s R.P. Bell Library where I was delighted to find a veritable treasure trove: a file brimming with personal correspondence, clippings, and newsletters.   

As I sat in the quiet of the Archives, my grandmother’s exciting life and impressive career unfolded before me. Reading through Margaret’s correspondence I was also moved by the numerous letters between Margaret and her mentor, Doris Runciman, who was the head of the home economics department (1937-1965) and Mount Allison’s first full-time female professor.

Among Margaret’s bulky file of correspondence were a selection of reference letters that Professor Runciman had written supporting Margaret’s ambitions in her education and career. She must have written many such letters, encouraging her students to become doctors, dieticians, teachers, and diplomats, like my grandmother.

Margaret showed her gratitude by keeping in touch with her mentor throughout her life and in one letter, sent in 1964 from Lahore, Pakistan, she wrote to thank Professor Runciman for helping “…to build a little confidence and a deep belief in the importance of our profession.”

This deep belief in the benefits of the home economics program carried Margaret across the globe and down a fascinating and highly respected career path.

After graduating, Margaret worked as a dietician at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal and then for Loblaws in Toronto before she was invited to work as the first home economics secretary for the YWCA in Japan. Margaret lived in Tokyo from 1935 to 1940, a time when few women traveled abroad for work. During this time Margaret traveled extensively throughout Asia, bringing her knowledge of nutrition, household science, and women’s education to communities across the region.

After a return to Canada to obtain her master’s and PhD and work as a teacher, Margaret’s international career continued. In 1949 she was invited to serve as Chief of the Home Economics Branch for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. It was at the headquarters in Rome where she met my widowed grandfather, James B. Harrington, an agricultural scientist.

In her time at the United Nations, Margaret spearheaded global consultations and established home economics programs across continents, helping women from many different cultures gain access to education, resources, and opportunities.

Margaret was more than a skilled professional; she was a diplomat and trailblazer who believed deeply in the power of knowledge to transform lives. Her work embodied a global vision long before the concept of “global citizenship” became a common term.

For many today, home economics might conjure images of sewing and cooking classes, but at its conception in the late 19th century it was a revolutionary movement that sought to bring scientific advancements in nutrition, sanitation, and food preservation into households, empowering women to safeguard the health and well-being of their families.

Margaret embraced her chosen career with a sense of purpose that was almost missionary in nature. She knew that an education was a pathway to empowerment, so she created programs that encouraged women to step away from their domestic roles and pursue further studies or explore professional opportunities. By encouraging women to study, write, and speak publicly, she helped women build confidence in their abilities and this confidence broadened their horizons.

Learning about my grandmother’s career has drawn me into reading about the history of home economics and this has led me back to my undergraduate major, women’s studies. Through the lens of this research, I have developed a theory that the three waves of feminism can be seen to represent my grandmother, my mother, and me.

Margaret’s work aligned with the first wave of feminism with its emphasis on education and the drive to increase women’s power and responsibilities in the public sphere, outside of the home. My mother, in contrast, embodied the ideals of second-wave feminism, focusing on personal freedom and rebelling against restrictive roles for women. I belong to the third wave of feminism that critiqued the blind spots of our predominantly white foremothers and worked towards a more inclusive, intersectional approach.

The different waves encompassed very different world views and sadly that meant that my mother was not close to Margaret and did not encourage our relationship. But today I feel I have the chance to get to know my grandmother through her writing. What strikes me most about my grandmother’s life was her unwavering belief in the potential of women. I believe this core value is shared by all three waves of feminism, as well as future waves that are now building momentum.

For me, this journey of discovery has been more than a family history project, it has been a source of personal inspiration. Learning about my grandmother’s international achievements has reignited my own love for research and study. Her story has drawn me back to the library stacks, where I feel her presence urging me forward.

Margaret’s distinguished career surely made her mentor and teacher Doris Runciman proud. Margaret was brave, hardworking, and driven by idealism. She took the baton that her mentor passed to her and ran with it — passing on her knowledge and vision to young women across the globe.