First Lady Lou Hoover, former third grade teacher and supporter of public schools.
Many of America’s presidential wives have had experience as public school teachers. One of these is Lou Henry Hoover, the wife of President Herbert Hoover, the 31st leader of our nation.
Lou Henry was born in Waterloo, Iowa, but spent much of her childhood moving from state to state. In addition to Iowa, she lived in Texas, Kansas, and California. After she graduated from high school, Lou Henry enrolled at the Los Angeles Normal School, now known as the University of California, Los Angeles. Later she transferred to San Jose Normal School, now known as San Jose State University. She earned her teaching credential in 1893. She also earned a degree in geology from Stanford University in California.
Herbert Hoover met Lou Henry while they were both attending Stanford University. Before enrolling there, she had been employed as a third grade teacher, and she had originally planned a long career in education. Her plans changed, however, when she decided to marry and travel abroad with her husband.
After he was elected president in 1928, President Hoover and the First Lady, who were both avid readers, were dismayed to discover that the White House Library established by First Lady Abigail Fillmore had disintegrated due to neglect. Reconstructing the White House library became one of the projects of their administration.
In August, 1929, Lou and the president discovered a community of impoverished Appalachian families near their summer retreat that was unable to provide a school for their children. The couple decided to establish, in secret, a school for the local mountain children, as well as a small residence for the teacher they hired to instruct them. The teacher was Christine Vest, a graduate of Berea College. The school was opened on Feb. 24, 1930, and came to be known as “The President’s Mountain School.” Lou visited the school frequently, picnicking with the children and chatting with their parents.
Lou was exceedingly proud of her efforts to help the underprivileged gain an education. “We believe that the democratic influence of a good public school in a good community gives a much better training than the unavoidable exclusiveness of even the best private schools,” the First Lady once expressed.
In addition to supporting the community school, Lou became a lifelong supporter of the Girl Scouts and their programs for outdoor camping and education. She was also instrumental in the era’s movement to expand opportunities for women in athletic activities.
To learn more about this amazing First Lady, see her biography at the National First Ladies Libraray.
