Zephyr Wright facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zephyr Wright
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Photograph of the signing of the Voting Rights Act in 1965. Zephyr Wright is second from the right.
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Zephyr Black
1915 Marshall, Texas, U.S.
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| Died | April 25, 1988 (aged 72–73) Washington D.C., U.S.
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| Alma mater | Wiley College |
| Occupation | Presidential personal chef, maid |
| Known for | Civil rights activism |
| Spouse(s) | Sammy Wright |
Zephyr Wright (born Zephyr Black; 1915 – April 25, 1988) was an African-American civil rights activist. She worked as a personal chef for President Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson. She worked for them from 1942 until 1969.
Wright helped with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. She told President Johnson about her experiences living under Jim Crow laws. These were unfair laws that separated people based on race. Johnson then shared her stories with other important lawmakers.
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Zephyr's Early Life and Learning
Zephyr Wright grew up in Marshall, Texas. She went to Wiley College. There, she studied Home Economics, which teaches about managing a home.
At Wiley College, Wright had a professor named Melvin B. Tolson. He was an activist and inspired her. He encouraged her to get involved in the Civil Rights Movement. This movement worked to gain equal rights for all people.
In September 1942, Lady Bird Johnson hired Wright. Lady Bird was the wife of then-representative Lyndon Johnson. Wright was recommended by the president of Wiley College, Dr. Matthew Dogan.
Facing Unfair Rules
Wright traveled with Mrs. Johnson and another new staff member, John Hickey. They drove to Washington, D.C.. On their trip, they had trouble finding places to eat and stay. Many restaurants and hotels would not serve Wright and Hickey because they were Black. This was due to segregation laws.
In an interview from 1974, Wright said she was often asked to enter restaurants through the kitchen. Or she was told to eat outside. But she always refused. She said, "I felt that if I wasn't wanted, I wouldn't go. I felt happier not going."
When Wright moved with the Johnson family to Washington, D.C., some hotels in the Southern United States still refused her. This was because she was Black. When Lyndon Johnson was a senator, Wright refused to drive to Austin, Texas, with him.
She told him, "When Sammy and I drive to Texas and I have to go to the bathroom... I am not allowed to go to the bathroom. I have to find a bush and squat." She added, "When it comes time to eat, we can't go into restaurants. We have to eat out of a brown bag." She told him they would not do it again.
During Johnson's time as president, Wright shared her experiences. These stories helped the Johnson family work hard to improve rights for Black Americans.
Zephyr's Friendship with President Johnson
President Johnson often asked Wright what she thought about his decisions. He also asked her about the people he chose for important jobs. Wright remembered one time 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?'" Wright asked if it was official. Johnson said, "Well, no, but I'm sure it will. I've appointed him." He was talking about choosing Thurgood Marshall for the Supreme Court.
Wright often told President Johnson what people thought of his work. She heard both good and bad comments from people she met every day. Once, Wright spoke to Johnson about her salary. She noticed a difference between her pay and another White House chef's pay. Johnson then increased the salaries for both Zephyr and her husband.
Wright often cooked for Johnson's guests. This included Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn. She also cooked for Senator Richard Russell Jr.. He was known for being against civil rights. But Wright said she did not find his company unpleasant.
Wright and Johnson had a friendly relationship. They often talked in a relaxed way. Wright remembered times when they joked with each other. She strongly supported Johnson's work on civil rights. She said, "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 ended in 1969. This was when Lyndon Johnson's term as president finished.
When Johnson became Vice President, he asked Wright for her thoughts. He asked her about important events like the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Wright's experiences with Jim Crow laws were used to help get support for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Later, she was there when Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. At the signing ceremony, he gave her the pen he used. He told her, "You deserve this more than anyone else."
Zephyr's Later Years
After leaving her job in 1969, Wright continued to live in Washington, D.C.
Personal Life and Passing
Zephyr Wright was married to Sammy Wright. Sammy was a chauffeur for President Johnson and his family. He passed away in 1969, before Zephyr.
Zephyr Wright died on April 25, 1988. She passed away in Washington, D.C., from a heart condition.
Zephyr Wright's Impact
Zephyr Wright received fan mail for her work in the White House. In December 1963, Lady Bird Johnson spoke about her in Time magazine. Lady Bird said, "Zephyr is an expert at spoon bread, homemade ice cream and monumental Sunday breakfasts."
Sadly, during her life, Zephyr was not always recognized for her important civil rights work. People knew her more for her cooking than for her help with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Many of her recipes are still known today. Her "Pedernales River chili" was published in the book Eating With Uncle Sam (2011). Her "Shrimp Curry A La Zephyr Wright" was shared by NPR in 2008. In 2016, The Kitchen Sisters podcast featured Wright in an episode. In 2019, The New York Times named Wright as one of the "6 Black Chefs Who Changed the History of Food."
Images for kids
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Photograph of the signing of the Voting Rights Act in 1965. Zephyr Wright is second from the right.
