Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Johnson (1912–2007) was an American first lady 1963–69, businessperson, and conservationist. She was the wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Born in Karnack, Texas, into a prominent family, Johnson earned the nickname “Lady Bird” early in her life, which she eventually accepted as she developed her love of nature. She earned bachelor’s degrees in both history and journalism.
During World War II, when her husband served in the navy, Johnson used her inheritance to purchase a small bankrupt radio station in Austin, Texas, and turned the station into a multimillion-dollar radio and television enterprise, the Texas Broadcasting Corporation.
Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Lady Bird replaced the popular Jackie Kennedy, but held her own and emerged as a highly respected first lady. She was a popular Washington D.C. host and worked in support of the “War on Poverty.” She is remembered mainly for her promotion of the National Head Start Program for preschool children, and her expansion National Park Service wilderness conservation of America’s interstate highway beautification.
Johnson remained active in the promotion of conservation and environmental affairs even after President Lyndon Johnson’s death.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Lady Bird Johnson
When I no longer thrill to the first snow of the season, I’ll know I’m growing old.
—Lady Bird Johnson
Topics: Snow
Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.
—Lady Bird Johnson
Topics: Optimism, Children, Positive Attitudes
Then there’s the joy of getting your desk clean, and knowing that all your letters are answered, and you can see the wood on it again.
—Lady Bird Johnson
Topics: Letters
Flowers in a city are like lipstick on a woman—it just makes you look better to have a little color.
—Lady Bird Johnson
The clash of ideas is the sound of freedom.
—Lady Bird Johnson
Topics: Freedom
Making a town more beautiful and more human can lessen tensions and friction. Any city can do it; and any city would do well to do it.
—Lady Bird Johnson
The way you overcome shyness is to become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.
—Lady Bird Johnson
Topics: Fear, Anxiety
Ugliness creates bitterness. Ugliness is an eroding force on the people of our land. We are all here to try to change that.
—Lady Bird Johnson
Topics: Beauty
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