Proud Products of Texas Public Schools

Oveta Culp Hobby

Graduate of Temple High School
Temple, Texas

During World War II, Oveta Culp Hobby served as director of the newly formed Women’s Army Corps (WAC). In 1953, she was appointed secretary of the new Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, the second woman to hold a Cabinet position in the federal government.

From 1925-31, Culp worked as parliamentarian for the Texas Legislature. In 1931, she married William P. Hobby, publisher of the Houston Post, and after her marriage, she became an integral part of the newspaper’s operation. In 1941, Hobby went to Washington to head the women’s division of the War Department’s Bureau of Public Relations. The next year, she was appointed to supervise the WAC. She supported Dwight D. Eisenhower for the presidency in 1952. After his election, she was appointed administrator of the Federal Security Agency. She remained as secretary of the department until 1955.