… taught grade school in Columbus.
In 1945, during World War II and a year after President Franklin Roosevelt opened female military corps to all minorities, Olivia Hooker joined Semper Pratus, or SPAR, the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve.
Previously, only Caucasian women could serve in SPAR and the Navy’s Women’s Reserve, better known as the WAVES for the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, or WAVES.
Since then, she has taught thousands as a professor and inspired tens of thousands with her stories of survival, perservance and love.
We salute you Dr. Hooker. May you rest in peace!