Former first lady Lady Bird Johnson, who died Wednesday at the age of 94, had not been in the national spotlight for more than three decades, but her legacy remains vibrant and strong. She made America a more beautiful place — in many ways.

Even Americans who only know her name from their history books today reap the benefits of her tireless work for the environment, conservation and beautification of the countryside. Millions of flowers have been planted across the country because of her efforts.

Lady Bird Johnson had worked on beautification projects in her native Texas since the 1930s but when Lyndon Baines Johnson became president in 1963, she was able to move that personal cause onto the national stage.

She supported a multitude of environmental bills in the years her husband was president and had a hand in major legislation, including the Wilderness Act of 1964 and the Highway Beautification Act of 1965. The fruit of that labor has had a lasting impact — one that will hopefully continue for more generations.

First lady during a turbulent era in our nation's history, she was also greatly admired for her quiet strength, her graciousness and dignity.

Although her name will forever be tied to her work on behalf of beautification, she also believed deeply and worked tirelessly for other major efforts, including the landmark civil rights act signed into law by her husband in 1964. She also helped carry the message of her husband's other programs, including Head Start, the Job Corps and the war on poverty.

"It's been a wonderful life," she said in 1992. "I feel like a jug into which wine is poured until it overflows." How fortunate for us all that her life had such a lasting and beautiful impact.