Hall of Fame
Betty Ann Crosbie
by Helen Hatton
Betty Ann Crosbie has a long, distinguished academic as well as a business career.
Betty Ann was a University of Toronto honours graduate in Home Economics, where she was the recipient of the Lillian Massey Gold medal for academic achievement. She then taught Home Economics for four years in Aurora.
Her passion, however, was, and is, textiles and design and the history of clothing. Happily Betty Ann was invited back to the University Faculty of Household Science to lecture in this field. She stayed until the department closed in 1978.
Betty Ann began freelancing in 1977, teaching at Ryerson, Sheridan College and the International Academy of Merchandising and Design where she taught both here in Toronto and at their campus near Nice.
Betty Ann's column, Made to Measure, has appeared biweekly in the Fashion section of the Toronto Star since about 1982 or ‘83.
Betty Ann was a founding member and chair for several years of the Costume Society of Ontario. This interesting group was established in 1972 to "further the preservation, recording, display and educational use of Canadian Costume", and to "assist students and others in the study of World Historical Costume."
She is a mainstay at the Creative Sewing and Needlework Festival where she has been a featured luncheon speaker and leads workshops, and is a regular contributor for the Canadian Sewing and Needlecraft Association newsletter.
Betty Ann Crosbie was VP, President and Past President of the University of Toronto Household Science Alumni Association, an active member of CHEA for over 15 years, including chairing the 1981 CHEA conference committee when the convention was held in Toronto. She joined THEA in 1959, and has served as President, and just about everything else.
She was a founding member of the Home Economics Heritage Committee, formed in 1978 to preserve the historical perspective regarding the development of the profession in Ontario, and was active in the Registration of our Home Economics profession, which she passionately believes in.
Quoting Betty Ann on the subject: "To stand still is to go backwards, but with registration we move forward with new momentum, both as individuals and as a strong recognized group in society, today and in the future."
Betty Ann was just given the 1999 Marjorie Thompson Flint award, and, as we in OHEIB, know you can't get too much of a good thing. So welcome, Betty Ann Crosbie to the 1999 Hall of Fame.