Lady Bird Johnson died today at the age of 94.
Let her be remembered as a true lady, one who possessed uncommon courage and decency, as well as a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature.
The following link discusses her landmark whistle stop tour through the South after the passage of the Civil Rights Act. The grace she displayed in the face of deep-seated hostility proved her to be the original steel magnolia.
http://www.pbs.org/ladybird/epicenter/epicenter_report_train.html
"As she had expected, but had hoped to avoid, Lady Bird encountered angry southerners protesting her husband and his civil rights agenda. She continually found herself having to placate people who called her husband a "n----- -lover" without condoning their racism. As she pulled into Richmond, Va., Lady Bird was greeted by a big banner that read "Fly Away Lady Bird. Here in Richmond, Barry [Goldwater] is the Cat's Meow." In Columbia, South Carolina, people booed and heckled Lady Bird during her speech so that she could not be heard. The state hosts were unable to quiet the hecklers, but with a raised, white-gloved hand and a firm voice, Lady Bird silenced the crowd.
"This is a country of many viewpoints," she told the Columbia crowd. "I respect your right to express your own. Now it is my turn to express mine. Thank you."
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