Ep 6. Lady Bird Johnson

Lady Bird Johnson was the wife of the 36th President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson. In episode 6 of First Ladies, we explore her life and legacy as a first lady.

Lady Bird Johnson was born Claudia Alta Taylor on December 22, 1912, in Karnack, Texas. She grew up on a wealthy family ranch and attended the University of Texas, where she studied journalism. After college, she went to work at a radio station, where she met Lyndon B. Johnson, who was then a congressional aide.

They were married in 1934, and Lady Bird became an active partner in her husband's political career. She supported him in his campaigns and helped him manage his finances. When he became president in 1963 after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Lady Bird took on the duties of first lady with grace and poise.

During her time as first lady, Lady Bird focused on environmental conservation and beautification. She launched the "Beautify America" campaign, which encouraged communities to plant flowers and trees and clean up litter. She also created the Highway Beautification Act, which restricted billboards and other advertising along highways.

Lady Bird was also a champion for the arts and education. She supported the creation of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. She also initiated the White House Historical Association, which supports the preservation of the White House and its history.

In addition to her work as first lady, Lady Bird faced personal challenges during her time in the White House. Her husband suffered from a heart attack and had several surgeries while in office. Lady Bird also had a miscarriage in 1964.

Despite these challenges, Lady Bird remained a beloved first lady and continued to work for causes she was passionate about after leaving the White House. She founded the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas, and published a book about her time as first lady called "A White House Diary."

In this episode, we will see interviews with historians and experts on Lady Bird Johnson's life and legacy. We will also see archival footage of Lady Bird and her work as first lady, including her speeches and appearances. We will learn about the challenges she faced as a first lady and how she persevered to make a difference for the causes she cared about.

Overall, episode 6 of First Ladies is a fascinating look at the life and achievements of Lady Bird Johnson, a first lady who left a lasting impact on America and the world.