Johnson, Lady Bird (1912-2007), was the wife of Lyndon B. Johnson, who served as president of the United States from 1963 to 1969. As first lady, she became known for her work to improve the appearance of areas throughout the country, efforts that came to be known as her “beautification” program.
Mrs. Johnson’s maiden name was Claudia Alta Taylor. She was called “Lady Bird” from the age of 2, when a family nurse said she was “pretty as a lady bird.” She was born on Dec. 22, 1912, in Karnack, near Longview, Texas. Her father was a well-to-do merchant. Lady Bird’s mother died when the girl was 5 years old. An aunt helped raise her. Lady Bird graduated from high school at the age of 15. She earned a liberal arts degree from the University of Texas in Austin in 1933 and a journalism degree from the same school in 1934.
Lady Bird Taylor met Lyndon Johnson, then secretary to a congressman, in Austin in September 1934. They married on November 17 of that year. The couple had two daughters, Lynda Bird in 1944 and Luci Baines in 1947.
Mrs. Johnson became a skilled businesswoman. Her assets included an inheritance from her mother’s estate. She used money from the inheritance to buy a radio station in Austin in 1943. Lady Bird Johnson helped build this investment into a valuable broadcasting business.
In 1961, Lyndon Johnson became vice president of the United States under President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963, and Johnson succeeded him as president.
As first lady, Mrs. Johnson used her business skills to increase the efficiency of the operation of the White House. She was a gracious hostess at White House social functions. Lady Bird Johnson started her beautification program in 1965. To set an example for the rest of the country, she began by concentrating on Washington, D.C. Her efforts resulted in the planting of numerous trees and flowers in the city. Mrs. Johnson traveled widely to make speeches in behalf of her beautification program. At the time, interest in protection of the environment was growing in the country, and the first lady’s efforts received a favorable response. Mrs. Johnson helped push through Congress the Highway Beautification Act of 1965. This legislation included restrictions on billboards along the nation’s highways.
Lady Bird and Lyndon Johnson moved to their ranch in Texas after Lyndon’s presidency ended in 1969. Lyndon Johnson died in 1973. Lady Bird Johnson continued her interest in environmental matters. In 1988, she coauthored the book Wildflowers Across America. Lady Bird died on July 11, 2007.
See also Johnson, Lyndon Baines .
