Lady Bird Johnson died this afternoon. You'll be hearing and reading about her over the coming days, as her friends celebrate her many contributions. But I'll just add this memory of my own, which has always meant a great deal to me.
In 1981, Bob Hardesty--a long-time Johnson friend and colleague--was serving as president of Southwest Texas State in San Marcos, the college where LBJ graduated, back when it was still Southwest Texas Teachers College. Bob asked me to be his vice president for academic affairs. When I had said yes (it felt like the equivalent of saying yes to a proposal of marriage), he picked up the phone and called Mrs. Johnson to tell her that he had just appointed the first woman vice president for academic affairs in the history of SWT, in the history of all Texas universities, as a matter of fact.
Then he handed me the phone, and Lady Bird graciously congratulated me. I'll never forget what she said: "Do a good job, not for Bob Hardesty, not for the university, but for yourself. Do the kind of job you'll always be proud of. That's what will matter, in the long run."
That's the kind of job Lady Bird Johnson has done, throughout her long life.
Reading Note. Become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.--Lady Bird Johnson