User:Benebeneb/Zephyr Wright

Early Life
Wright grew up in Marshall, Texas and attended Wiley College, where she studied Home Economics. At Wiley, Wright took classes from Professor and activist Melvin B. Tolson, who inspired her to become engaged with the Civil Rights Movement. In September of 1942, After receiving a recommendation from Wiley College president Dr. Matthew Dogan, Lady Bird Johnson hired Wright as a cook for herself and then-representative Lyndon Johnson. Wright accompanied Mrs. Johnson and another newly hired staff member, John Hickey, on their drive to Washington D.C. The three had difficulty finding restaurants and hotels throughout the trip since segregated establishments often refused to serve Wright and Hickey. Wright said about the journey in a 1974 interview that she was often asked to enter restaurants through the kitchen or eat outside, but always refused, stating "I felt that if I wasn't wanted, I wouldn't go. I felt happier not going."

Add to Friendship With Lyndon Johnson
President Johnson often asked Wright's opinion of his legislative actions and appointments. Wright recalled one instance in 1967:"One day he came home, and he said, 'Oh, do you see that I have appointed the first Negro to the Supreme Court?' I said, 'Oh! Has it gone through?' And he said, 'Well, no, but I'm sure it will. live appointed him.' That's when he had appointed [Thurgood] Marshall to the Supreme Court.'"Wright often relayed messages to President Johnson that she heard from people she encountered in her daily life, both of approval and disapproval of the Johnson administration.

In one instance, Wright recalls approaching Johnson about the difference in salary between herself and another white house chef, to which Johnson responded by increasing the salaries of both Zephyr and her husband. Wright frequently cooked for guests of Johnson, including Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn. She spoke of serving food to longtime anti-civil rights senator Richard Russell Jr. and noted that she did not view his company as at all unpleasant. Wright and Johnson maintained a friendly relationship and often conversed in a casual manner.

Wright was outspokenly supportive of Johnson's work on civil rights, stating that "In talking with him I know he is for all of the Negro people, and he has done more for them than anyone else" Her time with the Johnsons concluded in 1969, at the end of Lyndon's presidential term.