Helping War Victims

The Statue of Isis, the Egyptian goddess of life, symbolizes Herbert Hoover's humanitarian efforts. Belgians gave Hoover the bronze statue to thank him for helping stave off famine in their country during World War I. A wealthy mining engineer, Hoover gave up his career to organize without pay a war relief organization, and he persuaded German invaders and British blockaders to allow food shipments that fed millions of people in Belgium and northern France. After the war he directed relief efforts across Europe and devoted the rest of his life to public service. Created by Belgian sculptor Auguste Puttemans, the statue was installed in 1939 as part of President and Mrs. Hoover's memorial landscape plans, positioned to face the Birthplace College.

West Branch, Iowa · United States