Panel Discusses the Life of Lou Henry Hoover

On April 13, 2005, members of the National Women’s History Museum partnered with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars to present a panel discussion on First Lady Lou Henry Hoover.

Nancy Beck Young, author of Lou Henry Hoover, Activist First Lady, focused on “the White House years,” which seemingly contrasted with Mrs. Hoover’s public activism. Like her predecessors, Mrs. Hoover was expected to be hostess and housekeeper for her husband. She expanded on this role by using entertainment as a political tool. While publicly circumspect, Mrs. Hoover remained a social activist independent of her husband’s career. During the Depression years, Mrs. Hoover received countless letters from individuals asking for assistance. Using the network that she built through her involvement with the Girl Scouts and other benevolent organizations, she and her staff found solutions to problems that were raised. Often those solutions were Ms. Hoover’s personal checks. After her death her son found a cache of checks that Mrs. Hoover had never cashed. She had wanted those that she helped to help someone else, rather than repaying her.

Professor Maurine Hoffman Beasley from the College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, added the perspective of Mrs. Hoover’s relationship with the press – specifically the female reporters. Lou Hoover was the first presidential spouse to speak on the radio, and the first to give regular interviews. However, the society reporters, mostly female, were not provided access to information on who was being entertained at the White House, or if that information was made available, it was rarely in time for the press deadlines. The female press did not appreciate this treatment. The Hoovers could have used the press to their advantage by letting the public know of their work to relieve poverty. However, the couple apparently felt that to be true philanthropists, their philanthropy should be private.

Edith P. Mayo, Curator Emeritus in Political History at the National Museum of American History, agreed that Lou Hoover worked diligently to relieve poverty one person at a time and spent a great deal of effort supporting organizations that were led by other people. Although Mrs. Hoover altered the perceived role of First Lady, she did not accomplish anything specifically significant. She had a full and fascinating life, but did not leave a remarkable legacy. Noting that Professor Beck wrote for intelligent readers, not just the history scholars, Ms. Mayo said she welcomes renewed attention to Lou Hoover because she was innovative and independent at a time when women had only recently obtained the right to vote.

The last question asked of the panel was, “What is the appropriate role of First Ladies of the 21st century?” The three panelists agreed that the “appropriate” role of First Lady, or First Spouse, is as varied as the first spouses themselves. Some will have their own careers separate from their presidential mate. Some will redefine the role to address their own times, while others will confine themselves to more focused political or social concerns, just as Lou Henry Hoover did in her tenure.