Lou Henry Hoover; 1929-1933

Born: 1874
Died: 1944

Lou Henry and Herbert Hoover were kindred souls. They were born the same year in Iowa, both imbued with a Midwestern devotion to hard work and honest ambition. They also shared a passion for business, science, politics, and the great outdoors. Indeed, it was their mutual interest in geology that brought them together at Stanford University where Lou was the first woman to earn a geology degree. After marrying in 1899, Lou joined "Bert" on his mining expeditions around the world. They lived in China during the Boxer Rebellion, England, France, Russia, Burma, Egypt, Australia, Korea and Japan, with their two sons in tow. Fluent in five languages, Lou translated a significant Latin text on metals.

A millionaire by World War I, Bert turned to public service. After running the food relief program in Europe, he became Commerce Secretary, then President. For her part, Lou urged the nation's women to become active in all aspects of American life -- politics, sports, charity, work, and homemaking. She practiced what she preached. Lou headed the Girl Scouts, catalogued White House treasures, gave to the needy and designed a Presidential retreat. She also overcame her aversion to the press and used the radio to mobilize voluntary support for the poor during the Depression. But the Hoovers' own dogged self-reliance prevented them from favoring the type of massive federal assistance the American majority wanted, and got in the next election.

Thirty-First President
Herbert Hoover