Greetings To Our Fantastic NNOA Family During This Holiday Season of 2018 –
“Remembering Dr. Olivia Hooker, U.S. Coast Guard – 12 February 1915 – ‘Sea Services Sunset, 21 November 2018,’ Age 103 years of Service” – God Bless Her Soul!
Yesterday, Sunday, 25 November 2018, I had the “Wonderful Pleasure and Historic Sadness,” to Dedicate Words of Inspiration and Information on the Life of Our Family Member – Dr. Olivia Hooker, USCG on my weekly I Heart Media Radio Show, “Old Skool Sunday with Dr. Rick Wright.” As one of the 1st African-American Females to enter into the ranks of the United States Coast Guard, SPARS, during WWII, and serving as Yeoman Second Class was beyond exceptional. Dr. Hooker, born February 12, 1915, was one of the remaining survivors of the “Black Wall Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma Race Riots of 1921,” that wiped out the Entire African-American Community of that City. Dr. Hooker, at age 6, had to hide with her family in order to escape death, and the destruction that was presenting a most perilous situation. Her family left Oklahoma and settled in Columbus, Ohio, where later in her life, Dr. Hooker graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.A. Degree in 1937. During World War II, and as a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Dr. Hooker fought for “equal opportunities” for African-American Women to serve in the Sea Services. Her efforts lead to the ranks of the U.S. Coast Guard Women Reserves program, The SPARS, in February 1945. After boot camp at Coast Guard Station, Manhattan Beach, she served as a most accomplished Yeoman, in handling various duties in Coast Guard Administration. After completing duties with the U.S.C.G., Dr. Hooker received her M.A. Degree from Columbia University, and later her Ph.D. from the University of Rochester. As one of the founders of the American Psychological Association, and its’ Intellectual and Developmental Division, Dr. Olivia Hooker, “trail blazed” a most incredible career. As a Professor at Fordham University, Dr. Olivia Hooker became a most beloved teacher, and received “Honors and Recognition” from the Highest Levels of Leadership in Our Country. President Barack Obama, presented major recognition for her “legacy,” while delivering his Commencement Address to the Graduating Cadets of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, during “The 134th Commencement Exercises,” on May 20, 2015.
So, in Celebrating The Legacy of Dr. Olivia Hooker, U. S. Coast Guard, Let’s Present A Most Magnificent – NNOA, “BRAVO ZULU” TO HER LIFE!”
V/r,
Roosevelt “Rick” Wright, Jr., Ph.D., CAPT., USNR(ret)
Member, Board of Directors – The National Naval Officers Association
Historian
Interesting Stories/Links:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/23/obituaries/olivia-hooker-dead.html
https://www.essence.com/news/olivia-hooker-first-black-woman-coast-guard-died/