Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby

When I was searching for inspirational quotes for Women’s History Month, my research lead me to Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby. Yet, I neither recognized her name nor understood the significance of her quote. But I sensed it was important because it was etched on a massive granite wall. Have you heard of Colonel Hobby?

In 1941, she was asked to come to DC to direct a women’s initiative in support of the Army. Due to her family responsibilities, she initially refused but reconsidered after our country’s declaration of war. Her husband, former Texas Governor William Hobby encouraged her to take this position saying, “Any thoughtful person knows that we are in this war, and that every one of us is going to have to do whatever we are called on to do.” She immediately accepted.

She envisioned and helped craft plans for the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps which later became the Women’s Army Corps. She served as the director throughout the war years and many of her efforts involved working to reduce the prejudice and discrimination against women and minorities in the service. Not only was she the first female U.S. Army officer, she was also the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal, the highest noncombat recognition.

After the war she continued her push for diversity and used her talents in a variety of positions. In 1952 she returned to Washington as the first appointed chair of the Federal Security Agency and then joined President Eisenhower’s cabinet as the first secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Former Texas Senator, Kay Bailey Hutchison was one of many people inspired by Colonel Hobby and acknowledged that “she left a legacy of service to our country and blazed trails that other women will follow, made easier by her stellar performance in every office she held.”

The granite wall with her quote just happens to be on the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC. “Women who stepped up were measured as citizens of the nation, not as women. This was a people’s war and everyone was in it” Too few memorials honor wise women’s words so it is significant that hers are forever etched into that memorial. Thank you, Colonel Hobby for your passion, purpose, and patriotism.
Read more of Colonel Hobby’s story at http://www.humanitiestexas.org/news/articles/womens-history-month-oveta-culp-hobby-senator-kay-bailey-hutchison.