Lady Bird Johnson's Beautification Project

"When I go into a neighborhood, I look for the flash of color -- a geranium in a coffee can, a window box set against the scaling side of a tenement, a border of roses struggling in a tiny patch of open ground.  Where flowers bloom, so does hope -- and hope is the precious, indispensable ingredient without which the war on poverty can never be won." (Lady Bird Johnson)

Lady Bird Johnson and Laurence Rockefeller study model of Washington D.C. circa 1967 courtesy http://www.ladybirdjohnson.org/biography/.

Since Earth Day falls in the month of April, I thought I would blog about Lady Bird Johnson's Beautification Project.  Mrs. Johnson first took on the role of First Lady in the 1960's at a time of urban renewal.  She pointed out that 75% of the American population lived on 1% of the land.  The nation's cities were not only crowded but also run down, particularly, Washington D.C., the nation's capital.  Lady Bird maintained that there should be a way for the natural and man-made components of the city could live in harmony.  She believed that the nation's physical beauty affected the nation's psyche.

Lady Bird started with a grassy triangle of land at the corner of 3rd and Independence Ave where she broke land and planted the first azalea in March of 1965.  The First Lady relied heavily on donations from private donors including $100,000 from the Rockefeller Foundation, 10,000 azaleas, 4,000 cherry trees along with dogwoods and daffodils.

Hains Point circa 1935 courtesy 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hains_Point.

Lady Bird's goal was to create "functional, attractive surroundings", for a more beautiful Capital.  She took a cruise down the Potomac River to spot areas of concern.  Hains Point received attention as many cherry trees were planted there.  The First Lady took a ferry to Columbia Island, in the middle of the Potomac, for a daffodil bulb planting ceremony.  She hosted a planting at the White House for Arbor Day.

Cherry blossoms at Hains Point courtesy http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-west-ohio-drive-around-hains-point-and-west-potomac-park-lined-with-96599295.html.

Lady Bird's efforts didn't just pertain to the flowers and trees, but also the buildings or lack thereof.  Farrell School was a drab, two story building with broken windows.  She championed an effort to get a playground for the children.  Buchanan School soon received a similar playground.

In an effort to attract more people to the downtown, the First Lady suggested that F Street be transformed into a shopping mall, one of two malls to be built.

Lafayette Square circa 1900 courtesy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafayette_Square,_Washington,_D.C.

Lady Bird focussed on Sherman Square, Farragut Square and Twining Square.  Trees were planted in Hobart Place Park and Lafayette Park.  She revitalized Pennsylvania Avenue and Rock Creek Parkway.

Washington Circle post beautification courtesy 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Circle.

The First Lady was concerned about Washington's ghettos:  the urban decay, the graffiti, the garbage, the rats.  She enlisted youth to clean up the Shaw section of the capital which led to the formation of Project Pride, a group of Harvard University students and high school students to clean up other cities.

In May 1966 Lady Bird was front and centre at the White House Conference on Natural Beauty which encouraged conservation and anti litter campaigns.  Just before Lyndon Johnson left office, Columbia Island in the Potomac was renamed Lady Bird Johnson Island.  The First Lady's efforts, part of the "Keep America Beautiful" campaign, would bloom for years to come.

Lady Bird plants a cherry tree courtesy http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/3473#b.

For more information, watch Showcase for the Nation:  The Beautification Project at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd2t2MsOMnc.

Laura Bush: UN Ambassador for Decade of Literacy

"I have found the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card."
(Laura Bush)

Former First Lady Laura Bush was born in 1946 in Midland, Texas where her mother taught her the importance of reading from an early age.  "When I was a little girl, my mother used to read stories to me.  I have loved books and going to the library ever since.  In the summers, I liked to spend afternoons reading in the library.  I enjoyed the Little House on the Prairie Books and Little Women...Reading gives you enjoyment throughout your life." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Bush)

In the 1960's, Laura Bush's loved of literacy continued as she studied education at university and took a job as a teacher.  In 1973, Laura returned to school to pursue her Masters in Library Sciences and secured a position at Houston Public Library.  

In 1977, Laura met and married George Bush Jr.  When she was first introduced to her husband's grandmother, Dorothy Walker Bush, the latter asked her what she did for a living.  Her reply was simply:  "I read." (http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/bush/profile.html) 

In 1981, after three years of trying to conceive, Laura gave birth to twin girls, Jenna and Barbara, named after their grandmothers.  Continuing the family tradition, Laura read regularly to her girls, including the Laura Ingalls Wilder series.  

In 2001, Laura's husband was inaugurated as the President of the United States.  Here was Laura's opportunity to use her forum as First Lady to promote literacy, an opportunity that she seized upon with gusto.  In partnership with the Library of Congress, Laura created the National Book Festival in her husband's first year as president.  In 2002, she testified before the Senate Committee on Education for higher teachers' salaries.  The First Lady luanched "Ready to Read, REady to Learn" promoting early childhood literacy.  

In 2003, Laura was declared the Ambassador for the United Nations Decade of Literacy, a position which she held until 2012.  

Two years later, when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit, Laura secured a $500,000 grant for libraries in regions hit by these disasters.  Focussing on Texas, she headed up a book festival which raised $900,000 for 350 libraries in her home states.  As Laura explained:  "Once a child learns to use a library, the doors to learning are always open."

In 2008, Laura and her daughter Jenna co-authored the book Read All About It!  The same year, she visited the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, where she gave the writer the Save America's Treasures grant.  

In her role as United Nations Ambassador for Literacy, Laura has extended her focus to other nations, particularly the Middle East, and to women.  "Literacy lifts women out of poverty and opens doors of opportunity," said the former First Lady.

Note:  For more information, visit http://www.laurabushfoundation.com/.

Laura Bush participates in UNESCO round table discussion in Paris in 2007 courtesy http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/firstlady/photoessays/Paris2007/02.html.