Laura Beckworth
Excerpt of Personal Correspondence - February 10, 2015
Granddaughter of Mrs. Oveta Culp Hobby
Excerpt of Personal Correspondence - February 10, 2015
Granddaughter of Mrs. Oveta Culp Hobby
1.)How did Mrs. Hobby’s legacy influence you?
"My Grandmother, Oveta Culp Hobby, was known to her family, friends, employees and colleagues as someone who always tried to use perfect manners, who dressed beautifully, and, above all, was a fair person with everyone she dealt with. She was also extremely kind and generous. People who knew my Grandmother, or knew of her, expected me and my siblings to behave the same way. Those high expectations inspired us to try to live our lives in the same accomplished and gracious way that Mamau-which is what we called her-lived her life. She would also make sure we heard from her if she disapproved of our clothes or our manners! "
2.)What do you think Mrs. Hobby’s most influential legacy was?
"Mamau owned and operated a newspaper, The Houston Post, and a television station, Channel Two Television/KPRC-TV. She made sure that The Houston Post reflected the interests and concerns of all Houstonians, not just the white men who, traditionally, were the City’s leaders. She hired minorities and women to be newscasters on Houston television before anyone else did. Her most influential legacy was that she was fair. She gave people the chance to show their talents and hard work….regardless of their backgrounds. That was a brave and unpopular thing to do sometimes-but she knew it was the right thing to do."
3.)How was Mrs. Hobby a leader?
"She believed that part of being a good citizen in the community meant supporting the people who governed the city…when they were trying to do something good, like build an airport or a hospital or parks and museums. She supported her church because she knew it was a positive force in the lives of so many people. She supported those things with her own money and asked her friends to help, too. When people saw that she was stepping up for these causes, they did too. She was a leader in helping to build Houston into the great city it is today."
4.)Did Mrs. Hobby influence your career choice?
"YES! After I finished college, I went to Law School at the University of Texas School of Law. My Grandmother had studied law but never finished her law degree and I know she wanted me to be a lawyer. I've always been glad I got that degree."
"My Grandmother, Oveta Culp Hobby, was known to her family, friends, employees and colleagues as someone who always tried to use perfect manners, who dressed beautifully, and, above all, was a fair person with everyone she dealt with. She was also extremely kind and generous. People who knew my Grandmother, or knew of her, expected me and my siblings to behave the same way. Those high expectations inspired us to try to live our lives in the same accomplished and gracious way that Mamau-which is what we called her-lived her life. She would also make sure we heard from her if she disapproved of our clothes or our manners! "
2.)What do you think Mrs. Hobby’s most influential legacy was?
"Mamau owned and operated a newspaper, The Houston Post, and a television station, Channel Two Television/KPRC-TV. She made sure that The Houston Post reflected the interests and concerns of all Houstonians, not just the white men who, traditionally, were the City’s leaders. She hired minorities and women to be newscasters on Houston television before anyone else did. Her most influential legacy was that she was fair. She gave people the chance to show their talents and hard work….regardless of their backgrounds. That was a brave and unpopular thing to do sometimes-but she knew it was the right thing to do."
3.)How was Mrs. Hobby a leader?
"She believed that part of being a good citizen in the community meant supporting the people who governed the city…when they were trying to do something good, like build an airport or a hospital or parks and museums. She supported her church because she knew it was a positive force in the lives of so many people. She supported those things with her own money and asked her friends to help, too. When people saw that she was stepping up for these causes, they did too. She was a leader in helping to build Houston into the great city it is today."
4.)Did Mrs. Hobby influence your career choice?
"YES! After I finished college, I went to Law School at the University of Texas School of Law. My Grandmother had studied law but never finished her law degree and I know she wanted me to be a lawyer. I've always been glad I got that degree."