Helen Rhoda Hoopes
Helen Rhoda Hoopes was born August 1, 1878, in Kansas City, Missouri. Hoopes received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas (KU) in 1913 and a master’s degree in English in 1914. When she was an undergraduate student she became the first woman to edit the University Daily Kansan, but since women were not allowed to be official editors, her name never appeared in the paper. After she received her master’s degree Hoopes taught English at KU until 1947. During her time at KU Hoopes help establish the Gamma Phi Beta sorority chapter, the KU Quill Club, Pi Lambda Theta–a national teacher’s honorary society, and Theta Sigma Phi–a women’s journalism society. Hoopes published many poems, articles, and helped write and direct some of KU’s theater performances. Hoopes retired in 1947 and died September 6, 1973, in Lawrence, Kansas.
Entry: Hoopes, Helen Rhoda
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: June 2012
Date Modified: July 2016
The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.
