Mary Elizabeth Carpenter, Birthplace of White House Aide
Salado, Bell County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Great-granddaughter of builders. Daughter of Thomas S. and Mary Elizabeth (Robertson) Sutherland. First woman vice president of student body, University of Texas. Married Leslie Carpenter; has 2 children. In 1954 was president Women's National Press Club. First woman ever to serve as Executive Assistant to the Vice President of the United States, 1961. First newswoman to be staff director and Press Secretary to a First Lady, Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson. Outstanding Women of Texas Series, 1967.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Born in Salado, Liz Carpenter rose from University of Texas student leader to Washington journalist, serving as president of the Women's National Press Club in 1954. In 1961 she became the first woman to serve as Executive Assistant to the Vice President of the United States, and she went on to be staff director and press secretary to First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. The marker was placed in 1967 as part of an Outstanding Women of Texas series.
Why it matters
Her career marks a breakthrough for women in the upper ranks of American political and press life during the Kennedy and Johnson years.
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Related people
- · Mary Elizabeth (Liz) Carpenter
- · Lady Bird Johnson
Themes & tags
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