September 7, 1925

Theressa Hoover was born in Fayetteville (Washington County). Hoover worked for human rights and unity through the United Methodist Church for nearly fifty years, representing those who, in the words of her 1974 monograph, were in “triple jeopardy”: female, African American, and Christian. Hoover worked for justice and empowerment for women and children around the globe. On October 6, 1990, the Women’s Division of the United Methodist Church established a $100,000 Theressa Hoover Community Service and Global Citizenship fund in her honor, providing grants for young women to travel and study. In 2000, Hoover was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame. In 2004, Hoover was on Ebony magazine’s list of the 100 most influential African-American women. In 2008, a scholarship was established in her honor at the University of Arkansas (UA) in Fayetteville, supporting students from Fayetteville High School. Hoover passed away in 2013.