Born in Pennsylvania, Creswell moved to Georgia as a child and spent her life contributing to the state’s educational and civic development. A First Honor graduate of the Johnston Institute in Monroe and the Georgia Normal School, she began her teaching career in Walton County and later became principal of the Muscogee Training School. She pursued advanced studies at the University of Chicago and Columbia University, preparing her for leadership roles that would shape the future of home economics and women’s access to higher education.

In 1913, Creswell became the first woman employed by the Federal Extension Office in Washington, D.C., serving fifteen Southern states and introducing the term “home demonstration,” which became nationally adopted. Her return to Georgia in 1918 marked a
historic milestone: she was appointed director of the newly established Division of Home Economics at the University of Georgia, a move that opened the university’s doors to women for the first time. In 1919, she became the first woman to earn a baccalaureate
degree from UGA, and in 1933, she was named the founding dean of the College of Home Economics, overseeing the planning of Dawson Hall and guiding the college through decades of growth.

Creswell’s influence extended far beyond the university. She served on national advisory committees, contributed to federal publications, and represented Georgia at conferences including the White House Conference in 1930. Her work improved the lives of rural women and families across the South through education in nutrition, home management, and community development. She was the first president of the Georgia Home Economics Association and held leadership roles in Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Upsilon Omicron, and the Associated Women of the World. Her achievements were recognized with numerous honors, including the Distinguished Service Award from the National Extension organization, the Alumni Service Award from UGA, and the establishment of the Creswell
Award, still presented annually by the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Mary Ethel Creswell’s legacy continues to thrive through the Creswell Society, which honors donors who provide leadership-level annual gifts to the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. What began under her leadership with just twelve graduates has grown into a vibrant academic community that now includes four departments, one institute, and more than 20 research laboratories and centers. These include the National
Center for Home Food Preservation, the Family and Community Resilience Lab, the Love and Money Center for Relational and Financial Well-Being, the Nutritional Neuroscience Laboratory, the Anne Barge Historic Clothing and Textile Collection, the Couples and Relationship Enrichment (CARE) Laboratory, the Child Development Lab at the McPhaul Center, and the Textile Processing and Testing Laboratory, among others. Today, the college serves more than 2,025 students, continuing Creswell’s vision of combining academic excellence with real-world impact. Her leadership laid the foundation for this growth, and her influence remains deeply embedded in the college’s mission to improve lives through education, research, and community engagement.