They just don't make em like this anymore.
God bless her soul.
God bless her soul.
RIP - Lady Bird Johnson
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63getelevision
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A Real Lady
What a wonderful person she was, and even at age 94, in her case it was much too soon to go. Rest well, Mrs. Johnson.
What a wonderful person she was, and even at age 94, in her case it was much too soon to go. Rest well, Mrs. Johnson.
~sudsshane
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RIP 1912-2007
As first lady, she was perhaps best known as the determined environmentalist who wanted roadside billboards and junkyards replaced with trees and wildflowers. She raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to beautify Washington. The $320 million Highway Beautification Bill, passed in 1965, was known as "The Lady Bird Bill," and she made speeches and lobbied Congress to win its passage. A classy "lady" to the end..
As first lady, she was perhaps best known as the determined environmentalist who wanted roadside billboards and junkyards replaced with trees and wildflowers. She raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to beautify Washington. The $320 million Highway Beautification Bill, passed in 1965, was known as "The Lady Bird Bill," and she made speeches and lobbied Congress to win its passage. A classy "lady" to the end..
Being old enough to remember when her husband was in office..(just barely though..lol) She was gracious, sophisticated and truly a great first lady. It makes one wonder what would have happened if she would have had a longer term to do her great deeds. Texans should be very proud.
scott55405
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RIP-though I was pretty young when they were in office (I say they because I'm quite sure it's more a team effort in all events than is generally publicly let on, even though people like Mrs. Johnson accomplished much in her own right), I know of some of her work, and always thought she seemed a most gracious and lovely lady.
Mrs Johnson Thank You
I was sorry to hear on the new's of Mrs Johnsons death. History kind of cheats these ladies on all their individual achievments and contributions to society, I had no idea one of her career goals was Journalism. Sudsshane, the picture you selected for your post (I had not seen that one), was a treat. alr2903
I was sorry to hear on the new's of Mrs Johnsons death. History kind of cheats these ladies on all their individual achievments and contributions to society, I had no idea one of her career goals was Journalism. Sudsshane, the picture you selected for your post (I had not seen that one), was a treat. alr2903
pturo
New member
I think so many of her accomplishments were eclipsed by the Vietnam War and the past tragedies of the prior adminstration. I never knew about her environmental activisim about replacing roadside billboards and junkyards with trees. How ahead of her time! She seemed to have a grace to hold herself above mention, but it would be great to know what she really thought during the difficult times in the 60's.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
She'll Be Missed...
I was all of eleven when the Johnsons were thrust into the White House, but for the next five years, I was sure that people who cared about every American were in power. I've always regretted that the morass of Vietnam prompted LBJ to throw in the towel, politically speaking; we could have used four more years of the Johnson's stewardship, instead of getting mixed up with Nixon and Watergate.
The thing I liked best about Lady Bird was the unselfconscious poetry that rolled off that Texas tongue. When she was asked why she didn't go ahead and occupy the White House the minute she could, instead of inviting Jacqueline Kennedy to stay as long as she needed to, Lady Bird replied, "I wish to Heaven I could serve Mrs. Kennedy's happiness. I can at least serve her convenience."
I had the privilege of shaking her hand at the Atlanta Flower Show here, back in the 1990's; I was working for the Atlanta Botanical Garden at the time. We were all told she was ill, and that we shouldn't strain her by lingering too long. I hope she knew that we were trying to be considerate, not standoffish.
I was all of eleven when the Johnsons were thrust into the White House, but for the next five years, I was sure that people who cared about every American were in power. I've always regretted that the morass of Vietnam prompted LBJ to throw in the towel, politically speaking; we could have used four more years of the Johnson's stewardship, instead of getting mixed up with Nixon and Watergate.
The thing I liked best about Lady Bird was the unselfconscious poetry that rolled off that Texas tongue. When she was asked why she didn't go ahead and occupy the White House the minute she could, instead of inviting Jacqueline Kennedy to stay as long as she needed to, Lady Bird replied, "I wish to Heaven I could serve Mrs. Kennedy's happiness. I can at least serve her convenience."
I had the privilege of shaking her hand at the Atlanta Flower Show here, back in the 1990's; I was working for the Atlanta Botanical Garden at the time. We were all told she was ill, and that we shouldn't strain her by lingering too long. I hope she knew that we were trying to be considerate, not standoffish.
She was the first First Lady I ever knew, and I agree with everything everyone here has said. A truly gracious lady, who symbolized everything good about Texas (and, if might add, Democrats ;-)
The Lady Bird Bill
Shane,
Thanks for the brief history lesson. IMHO, the Highway Beautification Bill of 1965 was one of the best (and probably most well known) pieces of early environmental legislation ever passed. We sure could use her influence and direction now.
Shane,
Thanks for the brief history lesson. IMHO, the Highway Beautification Bill of 1965 was one of the best (and probably most well known) pieces of early environmental legislation ever passed. We sure could use her influence and direction now.
twinniefan
Well-known member
Mrs. Johnson
What a very beautiful and classy lady,it seems so unfair that the nicest people die, I wish we could hold on to them forever.
What a very beautiful and classy lady,it seems so unfair that the nicest people die, I wish we could hold on to them forever.
bigbubbacain
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We get to witness her legacy every spring.....
Every year here in Texas, starting about March, The greenbelt areas of our highways come alive with Bluebonnets(aka Blue Lupine), our state flower. It seems as though their spread has been exponential through my lifetime, thanks to Ladybird. They were near extinction at one time and hard to spot. Nowadays when spring hits, there are solid fields of them, then bloom the Indian Paintbrush, then another flower species and another. I think it's most amazing thing anyone ever did for their state
Every year here in Texas, starting about March, The greenbelt areas of our highways come alive with Bluebonnets(aka Blue Lupine), our state flower. It seems as though their spread has been exponential through my lifetime, thanks to Ladybird. They were near extinction at one time and hard to spot. Nowadays when spring hits, there are solid fields of them, then bloom the Indian Paintbrush, then another flower species and another. I think it's most amazing thing anyone ever did for their state
westyslantfront
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RIP Lady Bird and my condolences to her family.
Ross
Ross
She was a pioneer
and a true lady.
She got us to thinking about natural resources and the environment.
She will be missed.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
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If anyone wants to know, Lady Bird/Claudia Johnson was an international figure, of increasing importance.
and a true lady.
She got us to thinking about natural resources and the environment.
She will be missed.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
-----------------------
If anyone wants to know, Lady Bird/Claudia Johnson was an international figure, of increasing importance.
Does anyone remember the hilarious Fannie Flagg imitations of Lady Bird. I remember part of the routine advising that you should plant "a thing of beauty, a tree, bush or shcrub" as it was pronounced. Last night on the news they had a clip of her speaking and she did the same thing, listing things without an article, but a long pause in front of each item.
I also remember when Eartha Kitt was at some ladies' function at the White House and made a comment about the war. Lady Bird took deep personal offense and EK had to go to Europe for years because she could not find work here. That's the steel magnolia in Lady Bird.
It was a time when the Democrats in control of the government did try to do things to improve the lives of many people, except the people fighting in Viet Nam, and the party paid and is still paying a heavy price for that. Not every program was successfully drawn up or implemented, but I do think that there was more empathy then than now.
I also remember when Eartha Kitt was at some ladies' function at the White House and made a comment about the war. Lady Bird took deep personal offense and EK had to go to Europe for years because she could not find work here. That's the steel magnolia in Lady Bird.
It was a time when the Democrats in control of the government did try to do things to improve the lives of many people, except the people fighting in Viet Nam, and the party paid and is still paying a heavy price for that. Not every program was successfully drawn up or implemented, but I do think that there was more empathy then than now.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Tomturbomatic:
"I also remember when Eartha Kitt was at some ladies' function at the White House and made a comment about the war. Lady Bird took deep personal offense and EK had to go to Europe for years because she could not find work here. That's the steel magnolia in Lady Bird."
This is a story that has gotten to be something of an urban legend with a little truth mixed in. What actually happened is more interesting than the legend, I think:
The event was a 1968 women's luncheon at the White House. While the ostensible purpose of the event was to discuss the problems of inner-city youth, Kitt became very pointed, telling everyone loudly that the costs of Vietnam were detrimental to programs needed in America's inner cities, and speaking out against the war itself.
Kitt had a point, but her insistence on having her say in an inappropriate time and place was star hubris at its worst. For an invitee to the White House to use an event as a stage for protest is Simply. Not. Done.
Lady Bird was offended, according to those who were there, but kept her cool. What damaged Kitt were the responses of the Secret Service, FBI, and the CIA, each of which agencies compiled dossiers on Kitt. Their questions and interviews of Kitt's professional associates were probably what had a chilling effect on Kitt's career. I don't think anyone alive knows for certain if Lady Bird or LBJ personally requested such tactics. In Lady Bird's case, I rather think not. In LBJ's case- well, that's another story. And it's always possible that overzealous Feds went to work without any prodding from either of the Johnsons.
The moral of the story is: If you get invited to the White House, tell your hostess how lovely she looks, and how charming the house is. Shake hands, smile, drink your tea, and GO. Politics can wait. In fact, they'd better. Eartha Kitt has been telling her version of events for forty years without once admitting that she was guilty of supreme rudeness, no matter how justifed her position.
"I also remember when Eartha Kitt was at some ladies' function at the White House and made a comment about the war. Lady Bird took deep personal offense and EK had to go to Europe for years because she could not find work here. That's the steel magnolia in Lady Bird."
This is a story that has gotten to be something of an urban legend with a little truth mixed in. What actually happened is more interesting than the legend, I think:
The event was a 1968 women's luncheon at the White House. While the ostensible purpose of the event was to discuss the problems of inner-city youth, Kitt became very pointed, telling everyone loudly that the costs of Vietnam were detrimental to programs needed in America's inner cities, and speaking out against the war itself.
Kitt had a point, but her insistence on having her say in an inappropriate time and place was star hubris at its worst. For an invitee to the White House to use an event as a stage for protest is Simply. Not. Done.
Lady Bird was offended, according to those who were there, but kept her cool. What damaged Kitt were the responses of the Secret Service, FBI, and the CIA, each of which agencies compiled dossiers on Kitt. Their questions and interviews of Kitt's professional associates were probably what had a chilling effect on Kitt's career. I don't think anyone alive knows for certain if Lady Bird or LBJ personally requested such tactics. In Lady Bird's case, I rather think not. In LBJ's case- well, that's another story. And it's always possible that overzealous Feds went to work without any prodding from either of the Johnsons.
The moral of the story is: If you get invited to the White House, tell your hostess how lovely she looks, and how charming the house is. Shake hands, smile, drink your tea, and GO. Politics can wait. In fact, they'd better. Eartha Kitt has been telling her version of events for forty years without once admitting that she was guilty of supreme rudeness, no matter how justifed her position.
lokringbob
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- May 3, 2006
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- 132
Correction of History
It is documented that it was L.B.J. who put the dogs on to Eartha not Lady Bird, She had to much class to do something like that.
I'm sorry to have to point this out and it is ment to be a gentle reminder, but the White House is also know as the People's House, as in the People of the United States.
These people (Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Clintons, and the Bush's) aspire to reside in "OUR" National house, and along with this residence come the complements and the criticism. Eartha was only pointing out the obvious, and the truth. That war cost this country greatly ….and in a great many ways.
So the moral of MY story is: If you get invited to the White House, tell your "Renter" the drapes need replacing and the carpet should be changed.
LOL
It is documented that it was L.B.J. who put the dogs on to Eartha not Lady Bird, She had to much class to do something like that.
I'm sorry to have to point this out and it is ment to be a gentle reminder, but the White House is also know as the People's House, as in the People of the United States.
These people (Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Clintons, and the Bush's) aspire to reside in "OUR" National house, and along with this residence come the complements and the criticism. Eartha was only pointing out the obvious, and the truth. That war cost this country greatly ….and in a great many ways.
So the moral of MY story is: If you get invited to the White House, tell your "Renter" the drapes need replacing and the carpet should be changed.
LOL
