Interview with Marta Dunetz, February 8, 2020

Project: Bess Abell Oral History Project

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Interview Summary

Marta Dunetz, a co-worker and friend of Bess Abell, begins the interview by describing her personal background. Dunetz discusses her work in the press office of Vice President Lyndon Johnson. Dunetz talks of her boss in the press office, Liz Carpenter. Dunetz recalls the procedures for event planning in the Johnson White House. Dunetz discusses John F. Kennedy's assassination and how she experienced the Johnson transition to the White House. The historic role of White House calligraphers is explored. Dunetz recalls the prevalence of smoking in the U.S. during the 1960s and 1970s. Dunetz describes how staff grief following Kennedy's assassination was addressed. Dunetz shares her recollections of the Lady Bird Special political campaign of 1964. Dunetz discusses and compares the weddings of Luci Baines Johnson and Lynda Bird Johnson Robb. Dunetz shares her overall impressions of Bess Abell. Additionally, Dunetz talks of her work in the White House press office and how well the different White House offices worked together. How Bess Abell and Liz Carpenter worked together is also mentioned. Dunetz characterizes her friendship with former White House staffer Marcia Maddox. Dunetz evaluates her role in Lady Bird Johnson's beautification programs. Dunetz remembers her participation President Johnson's trip to Asia and Oceania in 1966 to attend the Manila Summit Conference. Bess Abell's interest in beautification is considered. Dunetz shares her reaction to President Johnson's decision not to run for re-election in 1968. Preparations for the departure of the Johnson family from the White House are explored. Dunetz provides a comparison between White House social and personal secretaries. Dunetz recalls political conventions she attended in the 1960s and 1970s. Bess Abell as a role model for women is explored. To conclude the interview, Dunetz describes her contact with White House social aides throughout the years.

Interview Accession

2020oh0564_ba0019

Interviewee Name

Marta Dunetz

Interviewer Name

Brien Williams

Interview Date

2020-02-08

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.

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Dunetz, Marta Interview by Brien Williams. 08 Feb. 2020. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.

Dunetz, M. (2020, February 08). Interview by B. Williams. Bess Abell Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.

Dunetz, Marta, interview by Brien Williams. February 08, 2020, Bess Abell Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.





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