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1914-1917
It was the years of 1914-1917 that would send Lou and Bert Hoover on, "the slippery road of public life." (Herbert Hoover, The Memoirs of Herbert Hoover, Vol. 1, Years of Adventure, 1951. Pg. 148). Lou had been planning to take Herbert Jr., now 10, and Allan, 7 years old back to California so that they could attend school and she could begin work on the Hoover dream house. The Hoovers had decided to build a house to their specifications on San Juan Hill, adjacent to the Stanford campus.
But war broke out in Europe. Thousands of Americans poured into London, desperate to find a way back to the U.S. Their paper money, letters of credit, and even their reservations on steamships were not being honored because of the war. It was at this time that Lou and Herbert's organizational and humanitarian qualities began to shine.
While Herbert Hoover was helping with finances and transportation for stranded Americans, Lou Hoover began to work for the relief of American women and children stranded in London. She mobilized the Society of American Women in London to provide help. This help was in the form of clothing, lodging, food, and even tours around London in order to take their minds off the problems and delays facing the women. She offered plenty of information and guidance too. Early fall was hectic for the Hoovers.
Lou Hoover took the boys home to California on October 3rd. She wanted to get them into school in Palo Alto. Luckily, their ship did not have any problems with the German 
submarine torpedo attacks that were plaguing ships in the Atlantic Ocean.
By October 22nd, Herbert Hoover was appointed official Chairman of the Commission for Belgian Relief. Lou became his partner in this venture. She talked to American women about the plight of the Belgians who had no homes, no food, nothing at all, since they had been invaded by Germany. Lou organized a California branch of the Commission for Relief in Belgium, and she raised financing and backing for one of the first food ships to be sent to Belgium from California.
Lou was Herbert's trusted partner at this crucial time. She commuted back and forth between her husband in 
London and her boys in California during the war years (1915-16). She was also president of the Society of American Women in London that undertook various relief projects. She arranged for the sale of Belgian lace in order to help that industry survive during the war years.
When America entered World War I, Herbert Hoover was asked by President Woodrow Wilson to become America's Food Administrator. The Hoovers settled in Washington D.C. Lou worked to enlist women in America into the food conservation program. Wheatless and meatless days were arranged, and "Food Will Win the War," became the national slogan.
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Last updated: August 15, 2007