Of Lady Bird Johnson who passed away yesterday at the age of 94.
They don’t make women like her any more. In fact, today’s supposedly “liberated” women would look down on a woman who stood by her husband during a long career and pursued interests that complimented his. In the process she served her country quite well. As first lady she stood by her husband during a very difficult time when he was literally among the most despised men on earth.
I can remember her focus on keeping America beautiful. “Her beautification programs benefited the entire nation. She translated her love for the land and the environment into a lifetime of achievement,” Betty Ford once said.
She also represents, in my minds eye, the strong “Southern Woman” which is also a dying breed. My father’s mother though, who was of the same mold, would have understood Lady Bird very well. She would never have voted for her husband though, but I could picture the two of them having a civilized conversation.
May God grant her rest and peace. America is a better nation for her presence.
