Who is Claudia Lady Bird Johnson

She was an environmental activist before we even had environmental activists! She's been called 'the green First Lady.' As I came to understand her philosophy about the earth and the environment around us, I understood why she was called that too. She had a real love for nature, and for keeping it beautiful. Anytime I see our State Flower, the bluebonnet, I think of her.

Lady Bird was one sharp business woman too. Her father taught her about business from the time she was a little girl in his general store. In the 1940's, she bought a small radio station with money she inherited. She grew this into a broadcasting company then a holding company that would include six radio stations, a television station and a cable system at varying points. She stayed involved with all this through her 80's too!

But Lady Bird was a devoted wife and mother ~ a real Mama Bird ~ too. After some miscarriages, Lady Bird and LBJ had two daughters, Lynda Bird and Luci Baines Johnson. When LBJ had a heart attack in the 1950's as a Senator, Lady Bird ran his office.

She publicly helped with LBJ's campaigns for office, traveling with and without him. It was often said that she was the only one who could handle his tempers, comments, and get his attention. She exercised enormous control over his diet, sleeping habits and general health matters. After President Kennedy was assassinated in the limousine in front of theirs and Lady Bird was thrust into the position of First Lady literally overnight, she started a daily diary that became a historic document.

Her list of accomplishments is incredible. She supported Sargent Shriver's Project HeadStart, which gave it a giant push. She was the first First Lady, in January 1965, to hold the Bible on which her husband placed his hand while repeating the presidential oath of office. Every First Lady since then has followed the custom. Her biggest contributions of course were her beautification projects for our country, which we all enjoy today. What A Woman!

Be sure to visit the links in the "Learn More About Lady Bird Johnson" section. You don't want to miss knowing this Beautiful Lady Bird.