Willie Kavanaugh Hocker(July 21, 1862 – February 6, 1944) was an Americanschoolteacherand designer of theArkansas state flag.
Willie Kavanaugh Hocker | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 21, 1862 |
| Died | February 6, 1944(aged 81) |
| Resting place | Bellwood Cemetery, Pine Bluff, Arkansas,U.S. 34°13′55.4″N92°01′33.5″W/ 34.232056°N 92.025972°W |
| Occupations | |
| Known for | Flag design |
Biography
editWillie Kavanaugh Hocker was born inMadison County, Kentucky.Her father was a farmer. She and her family moved to Arkansas in 1870. After obtaining a teaching certificate in 1887, she taught school atWabbaseka,Arkansas.Hocker died at her home inJefferson Countyon February 6, 1944, at the age of 81.
Arkansas flag
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Hocker was a member of thePine Bluffchapter of theDaughters of the American Revolution.Her chapter wanted to present the newly commissionedUSSArkansaswith a state flag; however the chapter was informed that a state flag did not exist at all. Hocker, along with other citizens, sent flag designs to Earle W. Hodges, who was the Secretary of State. She proposed a red flag with a white diamond surrounded by a border of blue, 25 white stars in the blue and three blue stars inside the white diamond. The flag design committee suggested adding the name "Arkansas" to the flag. Hocker agreed; thus the first design of the state flag was born. After some changes to add a fourth blue star to the flag, to represent Arkansas's membership in theConfederate States,the final design was set in 1924.
See also
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