Lou Henry Hoover
Notable Iowa Families & Companies

Lou Henry Hoover

The Waterloo-born First Lady — a Stanford-trained geologist who modernized the role and led the Girl Scouts.

Born1874–1944
FieldPublic life, science & scouting
FromWaterloo, Iowa
LegacyFirst Lady of the United States (1929–1933); a Waterloo native and pioneering woman in science
The story

How it began

Lou Henry was born on March 29, 1874, in Waterloo, Iowa. She became one of the first American women to earn a degree in geology, at Stanford University, where she met her future husband, Herbert Hoover.

As First Lady from 1929 to 1933 she was a linguist, scholar, and organizer who used radio to speak directly to the public and gave much of her time to the Girl Scouts, serving as the organization's national president.

What they built

What she's known for

Legacy

Legacy & philanthropy

Lou Henry Hoover broadened the First Lady's public role and stands out as an early woman scientist. With her Iowa-born husband, she gives Iowa the distinction of a native-born presidential couple's ties.

Her leadership helped build the Girl Scouts into a national institution.

Life

Milestones

Where you'll see the name

Named for the family

Lou Henry Hoover — remembered at the Hoover site in West Branch
FAQ

Common questions

Who was Lou Henry Hoover?

The Waterloo-born First Lady — a Stanford-trained geologist who modernized the role and led the Girl Scouts.

Where was Lou Henry Hoover from?

Lou Henry Hoover was from Waterloo, Iowa.

When was Lou Henry Hoover born?

1874–1944.

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Sources

Where these facts come from

This profile presents only publicly reported facts, drawn from the sources above. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the family or its companies.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons (public domain or freely licensed).

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