Passionate in all of her endeavors, Lois Whealey concentrated her efforts on social justice and activism in order to uplift her communities. Inspired by being a Girl Scout, she instilled the values brought to her by this experience to her life’s work. Furthermore, she was inspired by the difference education can make in a person’s life. Ms. Whealey’s mother was an educator and it energized her to follow in her footsteps. She began teaching fifth grade in 1952, and through the years taught seventh grade, adult basic education, sixth grade and eighth-grade classes. In the 1970s, she transitioned to administrative roles, serving as an administrative assistant of the humanities conference for Ohio University.

In her own academic pursuits, Ms. Whealey earned a Bachelor of Arts in history at Stanford University in 1951, an Med at the University of Michigan in 1955, and a Master of Arts in political science at Ohio University in 1975. She later received a Master of Science in social science from Ohio University in 2007.

In recent years, Ms. Whealey has been civically engaged with a number of pursuits, She is active with the League of Women Voters and has been involved with Athens Community Television and Ohio Women Inc. In recognition of her work, she has received a number of awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award for Social Justice from the United Campus Ministry at Ohio University, the Nora Price Award for SEOH Planned Parenthood, and the Spirit Award from the League of Women Voters of Athens County among many others.