Lou Hoover

 

Lou Hoover, the dynamic and pioneering American first lady from 1929 to 1933, was more than just the wife of President Herbert Hoover. Born in Iowa and raised in California, Lou was a philanthropist and advocate for wartime relief efforts. She was a trailblazer in her own right, being the first president's wife to deliver a speech on radio.

Lou's upbringing in a family of bankers instilled in her a sense of responsibility and a love for the outdoors. Despite initially planning to become a teacher, she pursued a geology degree at Stanford University, where she met Herbert Hoover. Their shared passion for adventure led them to travel the world together, with Lou even volunteering as a nurse during the Spanish-American War.

Lou Hoover's legacy as a compassionate and trailblazing first lady continues to inspire generations of Americans.

After tying the knot in a picturesque ceremony in Monterey, California, on February 10, 1899, the Hoovers wasted no time and set sail for China. Lou dove headfirst into learning Mandarin and indulged her passion for collecting porcelains. Their adventurous spirits were put to the test during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 when they found themselves briefly trapped in Tianjin (Tientsin). The couple eventually settled in London in 1902, where Lou juggled motherhood, giving birth to two sons in 1903 and 1907, and collaborating with her husband on a critically acclaimed translation project. Lou's humanitarian efforts during World War I were commendable, as she engaged in relief work in both London and Washington, D.C. Lou, as the first lady, dabbled in various innovations. Despite her aversion to interviews, she boldly took the stage to deliver eloquent speeches, some of which were notably feminist, broadcasted nationally on the radio, marking her as the pioneer first lady to utilize this platform. She tasked her assistant, Dare McMullin, with documenting all White House possessions, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive inventory. After a visit to the James Monroe Museum in Virginia, she had replicas made of some Monroe furniture for the White House, hinting at future restoration initiatives by her successors in the role of first lady.

She faced a mix of admiration and criticism in her social circle. While she was lauded for her effective management skills at the White House, some staff members complained about her demanding work ethic and high expectations. One particularly contentious move was her decision to invite Jessie De Priest, the wife of African American congressman Oscar De Priest, to a reception typically reserved for legislators' wives. Despite her discreet approach, news of the invitation spread to the media, with the Mobile Press condemning it as a "haughty snub" to the nation.

In 1932, during the challenging times of the Great Depression, Herbert Hoover faced defeat in his reelection bid against Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Hoovers made the decision to discontinue their long-standing tradition of hosting an "open house" on New Year's Day, a custom that had been observed since the time of the Washingtons.

Following his presidency, the Hoovers settled into residences on both the East and West coasts - a home in Palo Alto, California, and an apartment in the prestigious Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Tragically, Lou Hoover passed away suddenly in January 1944 at their New York City residence. She was laid to rest in West Branch, Iowa, near her husband's presidential library, reflecting her modest and independent nature as the nation's first lady.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University in Business Management, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week.