Raising perceptions
An important part of the work of the College was in raising perceptions of the role of women inside and outside the home, at both local and international level. The College demonstrated that running a healthy, efficient home required a high level of skill. As well as being important for improving public health, these skills were also shown to be of value in industry and commerce and in helping women to lead independent lives.
Dorothy Melvin was a powerful advocate of the importance of domestic science. She delivered many speeches on the subject commenting that just as men are trained for a job of work, so must women be trained in the skills to cook, clean, sew and manage an efficient home. She showed that good housewives were of national importance in creating healthy, economical homes.
All students were required to wear uniforms. These were worn for hygiene reasons and to protect students own clothes. The uniforms must also have given members of the public the impression of the status and discipline of the students in their chosen careers.
Princess Elizabeth became College Patroness in 1944 and presented certificates on Diploma Day the following year. These actions sent a message to the public that training in domestic science was important, saying that it was invaluable for creating healthy, happy and efficient homes. Her continued connection with the College after becoming Queen continued to raise the profile of the College and the importance of its work.
Through promotion of its work the College raised perceptions of the variety of career opportunities available to women. During the years before WWII, students of the College were trained for numerous careers including domestic service, work in canteens, restaurants, hospitals, as dietitians, electrical demonstrators and as teachers of domestic science. It showed that women could be independent and contribute to the national economy.
In 1953 the 8th International Congress of the International Federation for Home Economics(IFHE) was hosted in Edinburgh. It was the first time the Congress had been held in Britain and 1250 delegates attended from 55 countries. Isobel Gibson, College Principal, was active in the IFHE, becoming acting President in 1958, and then elected President from 1959 to 1963. This raised the profile of the College internationally and also showed the public that education in home economics considered a significant factor in overcoming societal problems and creating better communities across the world.
In 1975, its centenary year, the College changed its name to the Queen's College, Glasgow. The title of Glasgow and West of Scotland College of Domestic Science Domestic Science was no longer relevant as 'domestic science' had been replaced by ‘home economics' and it didn’t reflect the breadth of topics now included in the College syllabus. Having had a long association with the Queen the new title was more appropriate and helped raise the profile of the College. The nickname 'Dough School' remained, being a popular term of affection for the College.