Louise Gopher facts for kids

Louise Jones Gopher is a very important member of the Seminole tribe in Florida. She made history by becoming the first Seminole woman to earn a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree is a college degree you get after studying a subject for about four years. Louise Gopher graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 1970. She was also the second Seminole person ever to earn a bachelor's degree, after Billy Cypress.

Louise Gopher was born on May 25, 1945, in a traditional Seminole home called a chickee. This was at a tribal camp near Fort Pierce, Florida. When she started school at age 6, she didn't speak any English. Back then, schools were separated by race, and it was hard for Seminole children to find a school. But her father, who also didn't speak English, convinced the school superintendent to let her attend Fairlawn School.

Early Life and Education

Louise Gopher's journey to education was not easy. When she was a child, schools in Florida were segregated, meaning Black and white students went to different schools. Native American children like Louise often faced challenges finding a school that would accept them.

Her father worked hard to make sure she could go to school. He spoke with the school superintendent, Ben L. Bryan, who agreed to let her enroll. This was a big step for Louise and her family, as it allowed her to start learning English and get an education.

Making History in Education

Louise Gopher's graduation from Florida Atlantic University in 1970 was a huge achievement. She became the first Seminole woman to earn a bachelor's degree, which was a very inspiring moment for her tribe. This showed that with determination, anything is possible.

Later in her life, in 2014, she received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Florida State University. An honorary degree is a special award given to people who have made important contributions to society. She was the third Seminole person to receive such an honor from Florida State University.

Working for the Seminole Tribe

Louise Gopher has dedicated much of her life to helping her tribe. She served as the Director of Education for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. In this role, she worked to improve schooling and learning opportunities for young Seminoles.

One of her major achievements was helping to create the tribe's first charter school. This school, named "Pemayetv Emahakv," which means "Our Way," opened in 2007. It was designed to teach students in a way that respects and includes Seminole culture and traditions.

Preserving Culture and Language

Louise Gopher cares deeply about keeping Seminole culture alive. The Seminole people have two main native languages: Creek and Mikasuki. However, mostly older tribe members still speak these languages.

To make sure these languages and teachings are not lost, Louise Gopher has worked to write down Mikasuki lessons. This effort helps future generations learn and understand their heritage. She believes it's important for young Seminoles to know their history and traditions.

Awards and Recognition

Because of her important work and achievements, Louise Gopher has received many honors. In 2014, Florida Governor Rick Scott appointed her to the Florida Women's Hall of Fame. This hall recognizes women who have made significant contributions to the state of Florida.

The Palm Beach Post newspaper also recognized her importance. They named her one of the 100 most influential people in Florida during the 20th century. In 2007, she received the special Westcott Award from Florida State University.

Family and Legacy

Louise Gopher has always encouraged young Seminoles to go to college. Her own daughter, Carla Gopher, followed in her footsteps. Carla became the first Seminole person to graduate from Florida State University in 1996. This shows how Louise's dedication to education has inspired her own family and many others in her community.

Louise's grandfather was Desoto Tiger. He was the son of a Cow Creek chief named Tom Tiger.

See also

• Seminole Tribe of Florida
• Florida Atlantic University
• Florida State University