Through this door pass many friends of the FFA. It is my duty to see that the door is open to our friends at all times and that they are welcome.” Most FFA members recognize this phrase as a part of the official FFA opening ceremonies. While the sentinel is the only person who makes this statement, it is a declaration that FFA members across the country and generations have embodied.
With nearly 100 years of FFA history, there is a milestone anniversary to celebrate nearly every year. For the past two years, the celebration of female membership in FFA has shown their remarkable tenacity and integrity for more than 50 years.
Molly Ball
“The anniversary of female membership has brought some really wonderful stories to light,” says Molly Ball, president and chief marketing officer of the National FFA Foundation. “While women haven’t always worn the blue jacket, they have been a part of shaping our organization since the very beginning. Women are doing amazing things in science, in corporate agriculture and on their farms. These past few years have brought a level of openness and conversation that we haven’t had until recently.”
Despite the incredible progress made the past 50 years, Ball hopes to still see women break the remaining glass ceilings, including a female becoming a national FFA advisor. To help all members, advisors, alumni and supporters be a part of the future of a welcoming and enriching program, the National FFA Organization is working to provide resources to ensure that agricultural education is for everyone.
“No matter where you come from, what gender you identify with, what race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic background, or agriculture background you have, there is a place for you in FFA,” Ball says. “We look at these areas not only from an airplane view of the organization but in every way: from the grassroots level, helping train teachers and students to focus on inclusion, diversity and equity, to the space station level where we are helping to break down entry barriers into production agriculture.”
Read more about the incredible history of women in FFA.
A special thanks to Carhartt, Cargill, Ram and CHS, which sponsored our 50 Years of Women in FFA project.
