An Independent Woman: The Life of Lou Henry Hoover

(Hardback)

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Description

A woman of intelligence and energy, Lou Henry Hoover's talents benefited a large number of cultural and philanthropic organizations, but her distaste for publicity obscured her many achievements until now. By the time her husband reached the White House in 1929, she had already established herself as a woman with high goals. The first woman to earn a university degree in geology, she collaborated with her husband in the translation of a classic book on mining methods. During World War I, she organized assistance for American travelers stranded in Europe, campaigned on behalf of the Commission for the Relief of Belgium, and set up a boarding house in Washington D.C. for young women working in war-related agencies. Lou Hoover served as president of the Girl Scouts during its formative years, organized the Women's Division of the National Amateur Athletic Federation to encourage public participation in sports, and raised money for a number of cultural and philanthropic organizations. As First Lady, she redecorated the White House to make it a suitable residence for a head of state, cataloging its furnishings for posterity. She founded a school for underprivileged Appalachian children and ran a private, unpublicized relief network for Americans suffering under the Great Depression. After leaving the White House, she resumed the volunteer work that remained such a treasured part of her life.

Reviews

"Allen offers an interesting chronicle of the life of a great lady based on documentary material. [T]he book is full of information, almost all of it from Mrs. Hoover's diaries and letters...the bibliography is excellent. General and undergraduate collections."-Choice
Allen offers an interesting chronicle of the life of a great lady based on documentary material. [T]he book is full of information, almost all of it from Mrs. Hoover's diaries and letters...the bibliography is excellent. General and undergraduate collections.-Choice

Author Bio

ANNE BEISER ALLEN is an independent researcher./e She writes poetry, fiction, and historical biography, preferring to focus on lesser known characters whose unique personalities placed them in a position to do exceptional things. Her writings about Iowa people and places have led to her nomination for two different awards.