Van Rensselaer, Martha

Van Rensselaer, Martha, 1864–1932, American home economist and pioneer in the development of extension courses for women in rural areas, b. Randolph, N. Y. In 1900 she joined the faculty of Cornell Univ. to give extension courses in home economics. These courses, with others, developed into New York State College of Home Economics, of which she was a director.

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Van Rensselaer, Martha (1864–1932) home economist; born in Randolph, N.Y. A rural schoolteacher and school commissioner, she joined the faculty of Cornell University (1900). There she organized extension programs; co-chaired the new home economics department, where she created a degree program; and became codirector (1925) of the New York State College of Home Economics.