‘Lindy Boggs: Steel and Velvet’ on WYES

‘Lindy Boggs: Steel and Velvet’ will air Wednesday and Thursday on WYES-TV.

In honor of the former U.S. Representative Lindy Boggs, who died Saturday, July 27, 2013 at her home in Maryland, WYES-TV will air Lindy Boggs: Steel and Velvet on Wednesday, July 31 at 7 p.m. and Thursday, Aug, 1 at 8 p.m.

“I recall a sleepless night when I realized I had in production a film about the most adored woman in all of Louisiana and if I missed I would have to move far away, to someplace like Tupelo,” says Producer Bess Carrick of the 2006 film that focuses on the legendary Louisiana politician’s life and career. The film is narrated by Boggs’ granddaughter, Rebecca Roberts.

Lindy Boggs was elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-third Congress, by special election, to fill the vacancy left by the presumed death of her husband, Rep. Thomas Hale Boggs, Sr., whose small plane disappeared over the mountains of Alaska in 1972. The mother of three was reelected to eight succeeding terms in Congress.

During her tenure, Mrs. Boggs spearheaded legislation on everything from civil rights to equal pay for women and helped found the Women’s Congressional Caucus. She still holds the distinction of being the only woman with a room named for her at the U.S. Capitol Building.

Her tenaciousness in getting legislation through Congress was legendary. Former Louisiana Senator J. Bennett Johnson likened dealing with Boggs to the Chinese Water Torture because of her persistent, persuasive and effective methods.

While in Congress, she also became the first woman to chair the Democratic National Convention and to serve as a Regent on the Smithsonian Board. Boggs was also selected to preside over the Bicentennial of the American Constitution in 1987 and the commission commemorating the 200th anniversary of Congress.

After ending her congressional career, the devout Catholic accepted President Bill Clinton’s offer to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See in Vatican City. She served in that post from 1997-2001.

Lindy Boggs was 97 when she died.