Lady Bird Johnson's Charitable Example

The Associated Press reports that a few weeks prior to her death, Lady Bird Johnson made a $300,000 donation to St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, where she worshipped for around 50 years. The donation was revealed by church members.

The Oracle lauds this generosity on the part of the late first lady for two reasons. First, Ms. Johnson declined an offer to have a garden at the church named in her honor. Second, it seems that Ms. Johnson did not call her publicist to issue a press release praising her for providing this gift. The fact of the gift would have never been widely known if not for the church members.

In this day when it is so common for public figures to make sure that their charitableness is widely known, Ms. Johnson's example is refreshing.