Flora Rose

Flora Rose (October 13, 1874 – July 25, 1959) was an American scientist, nutritionist, and co-director of what would become New York State College of Human Ecology. Rose, along with Martha Van Rensselaer, was named the first full-time female professor at Cornell University. Flora Rose, on left, with co-director and domestic partner, Martha Van Rennselaer, featured on right.

Biography Rose graduated with her BA from Kansas State Agricultural College. After her graduation, she wrote letters to Stanford University and Cornell University proposing they initiate a home economics program. Cornell accepted her proposal and hired her to begin the burgeoning home economics department alongside Martha Van Rensselaer.

Aside from her obligations to Cornell, Rose held the position of deputy director of the Food Conservation Bureau of the New York State Food Commission. In this position she aided in leading research and development of production of cereals that were low-cost and vitamin-enriched.

King Albert I of Belgium awarded Van Rensselaer and Rose the Order of the Crown for leading an effort to provide food relief to malnourished school-age children in Belgium.

Publications The Laundry, 1909 Milk : a cheap food, 1917 Letters of Flora Rose and Martha Van Rensselaer from Belgium, 1923, 1923 Pioneers in home economics, 1948