Skip to main content

Betty Vandiver, 03 October 2008.

View
@ Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies

Vandiver, Betty Russell

Description

Vandiver recalls growing up as part of the Russell family in Winder, Ga. She talks about meeting Ernest Vandiver and their early courtship. She recalls moving to Atlanta so Ernest could work for Governor Herman Talmadge's campaign, and Ernest's subsequent appointment to Adjutant General. Vandiver discusses her tenure as first lady of Georgia, including governor's conferences, campaigning around the state, and moving into the Governor's mansion. She recalls Ernest Vandiver's struggles with integration in Georgia and their conversations regarding the topic. Vandiver recalls her work in establishing the Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, Georgia, including her work with fundraising, establishing a church on the hospital grounds, and her personal friendships with the patients. She also discusses her work with the Mayor's parade in Milledgeville as well. Vandiver talks about Governor Vandiver's experiences working for Senator Richard Russell's campaign for President, and his disappointment in not being appointed to succeed Senator Russell. Vandiver recalls her husband's 1966 run for Governor and his 1972 race for U.S. Senate. Vandiver recalls working with Billly Bower, John Greer, David Walker, Bobby Kennedy, Bobby Baker, Lyndon Johnson, Carl Sanders, John Sibley, and Jimmy Carter. Vandiver discusses her children and extended family as well as Ernest's other work in prison reform, infrastructure, and the port authority.Related material available in the following collections of this repository: Reflections on Georgia Politics Oral History Collection, ROGP 013 Betty Vandiver and Jane Kidd on Ernest Vandiver; Reflections on Georgia Politics Oral History Collection, ROGP 107 Betty Vandiver; Reflections on Georgia...
Type:
Video
Contributors:
Short, Bob, 1932
Rights:
Resources may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.
View Original At:

Record Contributed By

Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies

Record Harvested From

Digital Library of Georgia