Lou Henry Hoover, born on March 29, 1874 in Waterloo, Iowa, was a woman ahead of her time. As the wife of President Herbert Hoover, she served as the First Lady of the United States from 1929 to 1933. Lou Henry Hoover holds a special place in history as the first First Lady to speak fluent Chinese and make regular radio broadcasts.
From a young age, Lou Henry showed a love for nature and the outdoors. She was a tomboy at heart, always eager to explore and learn. This passion for the natural world led her to pursue her education at what is now San Jose State University, where she was able to immerse herself in the study of geology.
Not content with simply studying geology at the undergraduate level, Lou Henry Hoover made history by enrolling as the only female geology major at Stanford University. Her determination and intelligence set her apart, paving the way for future generations of women in the field.
But Lou Henry Hoover's achievements were not limited to her academic pursuits. She and her husband embarked on a journey that would take them from San Francisco to China, where they lived for a time before returning to the United States. Their adventures abroad gave Lou Henry a unique perspective on the world, one that would shape her views and influence her actions as First Lady.
During her time in the White House, Lou Henry Hoover was a devoted wife and mother. She and Herbert Hoover had two sons, Herbert Jr. and Allan, whom they raised with love and care. Despite the demands of her husband's presidency, Lou Henry always made time for her family, instilling in her children the same sense of adventure and curiosity that had defined her own life.