Marian Chesnut McCullers (BSHE ’46, Housing and Consumer Economics) has been a pioneer and a trailblazer for family and consumer sciences graduates in business since she began her career at Atlanta Gas Light Co. in 1946.
“It was my roommate’s father who told me that when I graduated I was going to work for Atlanta Gas Light,” McCullers recalls. “I wasn’t sure if that was what I wanted to do so I interviewed at several other places, too.” Although she received other offers, McCullers ultimately chose AGL.
Clearly McCullers and AGL were a good fit since she remained there for 41½ years, rising through the ranks until, ultimately, she was named vice president for consumer information and education in 1986.
During her earliest years with AGL, McCullers and the other home economists in the Home Services Division spent much of their time traveling to customers’ homes demonstrating how to use AGL products. They also served as testers for new products, cooking all types of food on new ranges to determine if they deserved the AGL seal of approval.
“Manufacturers used to say if a product passed AGL standards, it would pass standards anywhere,” she remembers.
Throughout her career, McCullers searched for the most innovative ways to reach her audiences. She was among the first home economists to record one-minute educational messages that aired on radio and, likewise, she coordinated an educational TV show for 10 years that taught homemakers new cooking skills.
As one of the first women to move into management at AGL, McCullers worked hard to open doors for others.
“Every time a home economist left, I’d have convince management that we needed to keep the position,” she recalls. She also worked to create a career ladder for women in AGL.
“During the 1960s when many women were pushing for opportunities, I advised the new home economists to concentrate on doing their job well and to come up with ideas to help the company because I was on the inside trying to create jobs for them.”
McCullers’ efforts were successful and a number of women followed her into management positions at AGL.
Despite her demanding career, McCullers has also stayed active with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences and the University of Georgia since her graduation, working closely with faculty and administrators to establish relationships with the business community and create a number of internships. Her support for College of Family and Consumer Sciences also led McCullers and her late husband, Wilton “Butch” McCullers, to establish a scholarship in 2005.
“We want to reward those who are deserving of a college education, but may be inhibited because of limited financial resources,” she says of the endowment.
McCullers has served as president of the Georgia Home Economics Association and chair of the Home Economists in Business. She also is active in her church, Clairmont Hills Baptist Church, the DeKalb County Historical Society, the High Museum of Art and the Atlanta Athletic Club.
“Until you give something, you’re not a part of anything,” McCullers has said. “You have to give time, you have to give commitment, you have to give a contribution, and you have to give of your very being.”
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