Women in the Military: Oveta Culp Hobby

Oveta Culp Hobby was one of Texas’ most accomplished women in the 20^th century and worked tirelessly to better her community and country throughout her lifetime. She was born on January 19, 1905 in Killeen, Texas. She studied law at the University of Texas Law School though she was not allowed to enroll. Starting in 1926, she served for several years as parliamentarian of the Texas House of Representatives.

When the United States entered World War II in 1941, she was asked to create and direct the Women’s Auxiliary Corps and later the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). Hobby called service in the Corps “a serious job for serious women.”

For her outstanding service and rising to the rank of colonel, she became the first woman to receive the Distinguished Service Medal, the Army’s highest non-combat award.

Oveta Culp Hobby passed away in Houston, Texas on August 16, 1995 after years of serving on numerous boards of nonprofit organizations, publishing a book, and serving as the first Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare.

The Oveta Culp Hobby Education Center at the National Museum of the Pacific, next to the Pacific Combat Zone, was named after this outstanding woman.