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Dr. Eleanor Glover Gladney to Receive the Distinguished Service Award |
The AAFCS South Carolina Affiliate is pleased to share that Eleanor R. Abel Glover Gladney, Ph.D., has been selected to receive the 2026 Distinguished Service Award (DSA) from the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). Dr. Gladney, will be honored at the 2026 Annual Conference to be held in Louisville, Kentucky, with opening ceremonies to begin June 18th – 21st, with preconference June 17th - 18th, 2026. The DSA is the most prestigious award AAFCS members can receive and serves as a living tribute to members and to recognize superior achievements in family and consumer sciences and sustained association leadership. Her national profile can be viewed at https://www.aafcs.org/resources/awards-and-grants/dsa.
Dr. Gladney has devoted more than five decades to advancing Family and Consumer Sciences through visionary leadership, advocacy, and service at the classroom, state, and national levels. Throughout her distinguished career with the South Carolina Department of Education, she was instrumental in ensuring high-quality, rigorous, and relevant FCS programs across the state by leading curriculum development, statewide program transitions, professional development, and alignment with workforce and industry standards. Dr. Gladney championed the evolution of FCS from non-occupational offerings to CIP-coded career pathways, expanded access through virtual and online learning, and strengthened articulation between secondary and postsecondary programs.
A tireless advocate for the profession, Dr. Gladney has consistently elevated the visibility and credibility of Family and Consumer Sciences through her leadership in AAFCS and SCAFCS, service on national task forces, and collaboration with educators, policymakers, and industry partners. Her work has ensured that FCS remains responsive to the changing needs of individuals, families, and communities while preparing students for meaningful, high-demand careers. Dr. Gladney’s legacy is one of excellence, equity, and unwavering commitment to the profession she has so passionately championed.
You can help honor and celebrate this achievement with Dr. Gladney in the following ways:
P.O. Box 79377
Baltimore, MD 21279
Thank you for joining us in honoring Dr. Gladney, with this well-deserved and special recognition. We so appreciate your support in her honor.
Sincerely,
Dr. LaToya N. Johnson
SCAFCS President, 2024-2026
Dr. Gladney has devoted more than five decades to advancing Family and Consumer Sciences through visionary leadership, advocacy, and service at the classroom, state, and national levels. Throughout her distinguished career with the South Carolina Department of Education, she was instrumental in ensuring high-quality, rigorous, and relevant FCS programs across the state by leading curriculum development, statewide program transitions, professional development, and alignment with workforce and industry standards. Dr. Gladney championed the evolution of FCS from non-occupational offerings to CIP-coded career pathways, expanded access through virtual and online learning, and strengthened articulation between secondary and postsecondary programs.
A tireless advocate for the profession, Dr. Gladney has consistently elevated the visibility and credibility of Family and Consumer Sciences through her leadership in AAFCS and SCAFCS, service on national task forces, and collaboration with educators, policymakers, and industry partners. Her work has ensured that FCS remains responsive to the changing needs of individuals, families, and communities while preparing students for meaningful, high-demand careers. Dr. Gladney’s legacy is one of excellence, equity, and unwavering commitment to the profession she has so passionately championed.
You can help honor and celebrate this achievement with Dr. Gladney in the following ways:
- Book of Letters: Dr. Gladney will be presented with a Book of Letters from colleagues and friends, citing the ways she has influenced our lives and the profession. Please consider including your personal letter of congratulations and thanks for her extraordinary career. You may email your letter to [email protected] with the subject line "DSA Letter Eleanor R. Abel Glover Gladney.” Your letter can also be mailed in an 8 ½ x 11" envelope to the attention of "AAFCS DSA" at 1410 King Street, 2nd Floor, Alexandria, VA 22314. Be sure to mail your letter to arrive by May 5, 2026, for inclusion in the Book of Letters.
- Honorary Fund Monetary Gift: To honor each DSA recipient, AAFCS has established a DSA Honorary Fund to support the Association's programs and services, including research, public awareness efforts, and publications. Your tax-deductible donation sustains these and other programs that support professionals whose work assists individuals, families, and communities in making informed decisions about their well-being, relationships, and resources to achieve optimal quality of life. Monetary gifts can be given online or by mail through December 31, 2026:
- Online: Visit the Distinguished Service Award and click the “DSA Honorary Fund” button (Note: If you have never been a member, customer, event attendee, or donor of AAFCS, you may be prompted to create a profile)
- Mail: Send a check payable to AAFCS (Include Glover Gladney on the memo line) and include the DSA remittance slip, available on the DSA website.
P.O. Box 79377
Baltimore, MD 21279
Thank you for joining us in honoring Dr. Gladney, with this well-deserved and special recognition. We so appreciate your support in her honor.
Sincerely,
Dr. LaToya N. Johnson
SCAFCS President, 2024-2026
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111th Annual Conference
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The Conference was well attended and provided many updates, networking opportunities, and a myriad of sessions to help professionals and students attending. Photos and information will be forthcoming. However, check out the program on the Conference Updates link above.
You will not want to miss the AAFCS National Conference held in Louisville KY this June 18-21, 2026. All are invited to support Dr. Eleanor Glover Gladney as she receives the Distinguished Service Award (DSA). (See Article above.) The format for the Square Online Payment is like ordering off an online cart.
You select which items you need (type of membership on registration, additional lunches or banquet options, Preconference, and/or Donations to the Student Education Program Fund through HUGS [only option available until November 2026]). To add items, select membership, click add to cart. For more items, click continue shopping in the upper left-hand corner, and add to cart. When finished, click on the cart and continue to payment. |
The Apparel, Textiles, & Design Juried Showcase
AAFCS National Conference
Louisville, Kentucky
June 18-21, 2026
The 2026 Community of Apparel Textiles, and Design Juried Showcase
Applications Open: November 3, 2025
Applications Close: January 28, 2026
AAFCS is now accepting entries for the 2026 Apparel, Textiles, and Design Juried Showcase. There is a call for Submissions for the Community of Apparel, Textile and Design Juried Showcase at the 2026 Annual Conference. AAFCS invites designers, innovators and creators to submit their work for this exceptional event! The Juried Showcase is open to AAFCS members and non-members.
Designers will showcase their best work in apparel design/clothing & wearable textile art, art & design/fiber/non-fiber, interior design/housing & textile art, and other creative areas.
Designs may be submitted as:
Applications Open: November 3, 2025
Applications Close: January 28, 2026
AAFCS is now accepting entries for the 2026 Apparel, Textiles, and Design Juried Showcase. There is a call for Submissions for the Community of Apparel, Textile and Design Juried Showcase at the 2026 Annual Conference. AAFCS invites designers, innovators and creators to submit their work for this exceptional event! The Juried Showcase is open to AAFCS members and non-members.
Designers will showcase their best work in apparel design/clothing & wearable textile art, art & design/fiber/non-fiber, interior design/housing & textile art, and other creative areas.
Designs may be submitted as:
- Student Entry - includes undergraduate or graduate students
- Professional Entry - includes all other entries like faculties, designers, artists, etc.
Submission of an entry, or entries, indicates that submitter(s) or sponsoring AAFCS member agree, if accepted, to register for the conference to exhibit and present the work during the Showcase.
Entry submission(s) will include a written design statement/abstract with digital images of the designer's creative works. Entries are being accepted in the categories of:
https://www.aafcs.org/news-and-events/conferences/ac-26/atd26
This site also provides links to the Showcase Guidelines, Showcase rubric, Abstract Template, Abstract Sample, and Submission link.
Entry submission(s) will include a written design statement/abstract with digital images of the designer's creative works. Entries are being accepted in the categories of:
- Apparel: this category will include garments or clothing items designed to be worn on the human body in a three-dimensional space. In other words, clothing is shaped and structured to wrap around the body’s contours, allowing for flexibility, movement, and functionality. Each entry should be a complete/total look covering the upper and lower part of the body.
- Textile-Based Designs or Accessories: refers to materials or textiles-based design that is produced in two-dimensional forms. This category typically includes scarves (printed, embroidered, intricate woven patterns), hats, gloves, belts, jewelry, etc.
- Interior: any material used to enhance the interior space of a building. This category will include materials like fiber art, macramé, wall art pieces, lamp shades, home furnishing items etc.
https://www.aafcs.org/news-and-events/conferences/ac-26/atd26
This site also provides links to the Showcase Guidelines, Showcase rubric, Abstract Template, Abstract Sample, and Submission link.
An example of the 2019 Catalog is provided here, but a sample of the SCAFCS 2021 Bob Jones University submissions can be seen in the SCAFCS Newsletter November 2021, pp. 9-11 (use the Newsletter widget).
Even though FCS Week is over, FCS Elevate opportunities go year around.
Use the hashtags when on social media to unite and bring attention to FCS! #FCSWeek and #ElevateFCS.
Use the hashtags when on social media to unite and bring attention to FCS! #FCSWeek and #ElevateFCS.
Use the following links for Elevate FCS to communicate who we are and why FCS is important. Let parents, administrators, and district officials see and hear of the benefits that FCS provides in homes, communities, and in the state. The Classroom Resources provides terrific activities and visuals for various subjects.
INFORMATION HUB INFORMATION HUB INFORMATION HUB
In September 2024, the Virtual Town Hall introduced a bit of the history of SCAFCS and provided an opportunity to take part in a Virtual Foccacia baking lesson with King Arthur's lead baking instructor, Leanne Reynolds. You can still watch the YouTube video of the history portion if you click on the "About" Widget above. You can also find information shared for making Focaccia and the link in the Focaccia baking lesson article on page 10 of the November 2024 Newsletter (Click the widget for "Newsletter NOW" above). (Leanne had taught and given excellent information on Classic Scones at the 2024 Columbia Conference. Details on baking can be found on page 6. The Classic Scones Recipe can be downloaded at https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/classic-scones-recipe).
You never know what incredible opportunities and helpful information can be obtained by keeping in touch and checking into SCAFCS .
A post will be place here so you can find out what is planned for the coming months! There is always something for you at the SCAFCS table!
You never know what incredible opportunities and helpful information can be obtained by keeping in touch and checking into SCAFCS .
A post will be place here so you can find out what is planned for the coming months! There is always something for you at the SCAFCS table!
2025 SCAFCS Greenville Conference Highlights
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After over 25 years of serving South Carolina as the FCS Liaison at the SC Department of Education, Dr. Eleanor Able Glover Gladney announced her July, 2025 retirement. She has been nominated for the Distinguished Service Award of AAFCS. She has done so much to keep the FCS programs current, cutting-edged, and applicable for individuals, families, and communities in SC. (Photo on the side.) ---------> |
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2025 SCAFCS Teacher of the year is Lanier Alston. Lanier teaches FCS at Hand Middle School in Columbia SC. She will represent SCAFCS at the National AAFCS Conference in Louisville KY June 18-21, 2026. 2025 SCAFCS Student Award was also presented.
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2025 Photo of Past Presidents (Photo above): Sophia Brown (2022-24), Anna Sumabat Turner (2008-09), Dr. Lillie Glover (1994-95), Dr. Diane Smathers (2010-11), Lorna Williams (2012-13), Dorothy Blanton (2009-10), Dr. Eleanor Glover Gladney (2011-12), Glenna Mason (2016-18), Kimberly Ray (2018-20), Dr. Ethel Jones (2005-06), and not pictured, Sarah Jordan (2015-16).
South Carolina State University (SCSU) Students in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences and part of the AgriFCS Academy Program.
