Journalist Shines Light on Unstoppable Trailblazer

It's one thing to read about Texas legend, Liz Carpenter. But to see her in action is another. A new 77-minute documentary, "Shaking It Up: The Life & Times of Liz Carpenter", gives us a glimpse of this pioneer woman journalist and political aide, shaking up the boys' club in the '40s, working with the Johnsons in the '60s, and leading the women's rights movement in the '70s.

The Documentary:

• Co-produced/directed by Carpenter's daughter, Christy, and filmmaker Abby Ginzberg
• Premiered at SXSW to packed audiences, with upcoming showings at:
  • LBJ President Library (May 21)
  • Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum (Sept. 28)
  • Public television/PBS.org (Women's History Month next year)

Liz Carpenter: The Unstoppable

Carpenter, (1920-2010), was a force. Part LBJ, part Lady Bird—she charmed and mesmerized, particularly journalists, who knew she brought hot stories.

The Movie Shows:

• Hordes of reporters swarming Carpenter's environmental events for Lady Bird
• Rallies for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which Congress passed in 1972 but fell short of full ratification due to emerging culture wars.

10 Surprises from the Film:

1. Strong Texas Roots: Carpenter, a 5th-gen Texan, hailing from Salado, descended from a line of unbowed women, including suffragists.
2. Journalism Beginnings: Moving to Austin at 7, she edited her high school paper, met her husband, and later co-founded the Carpenter News Bureau in DC.
3. National Press Corps: Carpenter faced male dominance in DC but broke through as a political reporter. Aided by Eleanor Roosevelt's women-only press conferences and surprisingly, Nikita Khrushchev, she helped break down walls.
4. LBJ's Team: Recruited by LBJ in 1960, she joined his VP staff and wrote his speech after JFK's assassination.
5. Lady Bird's Confidante: The first "professional" staff member of a First Lady. Carpenter organized events, ensured press coverage, and was a key link between the East and West Wings.
6. Standing Up to LBJ: Audio records show Carpenter and Lady Bird using a tactic of talking through LBJ's objections, never raising their voices.
7. Environmental Activism: Beyond "beautification," Lady Bird's tours with Stewart Udall sparked Americans' imagination about their natural legacies. Carpenter ensured media coverage and even got sedentary reporters hiking and rafting.
8. Women's Rights Warrior: Carpenter's true passion. She organized political panels, speeches, conferences, and tours for the National Women's Political Caucus and ERA campaign, rallying first ladies and rising stars like Shirley Chisholm.
9. Trailblazer: Carpenter paved the way for Texas women in politics, including Barbara Jordan, Ann Richards, and Sissy Farenthold.
10. Austin's Adopted Talent-Scout: In her later years, Carpenter threw parties, founded a singing group, and scouted young talents—all while howling at the moon from her Austin home.

This movie captures the original spirit of a woman who truly shook things up.

By Michael Barnes, covering Austin/Texas people, culture, and history. Contact: mbarnes@gannett.com.