Laura Bush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Laura Bush
|
|
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2005
|
|
| First Lady of the United States | |
| In role January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009 |
|
| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Hillary Clinton |
| Succeeded by | Michelle Obama |
| First Lady of Texas | |
| In role January 17, 1995 – December 21, 2000 |
|
| Governor | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Rita Crocker Clements (1987–1991) |
| Succeeded by | Anita Thigpen Perry |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Laura Lane Welch
November 4, 1946 Midland, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | |
| Education | Southern Methodist University (BS) University of Texas at Austin (MLS) |
| Signature |  |
Laura Lane Welch Bush (born November 4, 1946) is an American educator. She was the first lady of the United States from 2001 to 2009. She is the wife of George W. Bush, who was the 43rd president of the United States. Before that, Laura Bush was the first lady of Texas from 1995 to 2000, when her husband was governor.
Laura Bush was born in Midland, Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree in education from Southern Methodist University in 1968. She then worked as a second grade teacher. Later, she got her master's degree in library science from the University of Texas at Austin. After that, she worked as a librarian.
She met George W. Bush in 1977, and they married later that year. In 1981, they had twin daughters. Laura Bush became involved in politics after her marriage. She helped her husband campaign when he ran for United States Congress in 1978. She also supported him in his successful campaign to become Governor of Texas.
As First Lady of Texas, Laura Bush started many programs. These programs focused on health, education, and literacy. In 1999–2000, she helped her husband campaign for president. She gave a speech at the 2000 Republican National Convention, which made her well-known across the country. She became First Lady of the United States on January 20, 2001.
Laura Bush was one of the most popular first ladies. She worked on national and global issues during her time in the White House. She continued to support education and literacy. In 2001, she started the yearly National Book Festival. She also promoted education around the world. She supported women's health through groups like The Heart Truth and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She traveled to other countries to represent the U.S., often focusing on HIV/AIDS and malaria awareness. She is currently the oldest living former First Lady.
Contents
Laura Bush's Early Life and Career
Laura Lane Welch was born on November 4, 1946, in Midland, Texas. She was the only child of Harold and Jenna Louise Welch. Her family has English, French, and Swiss roots.
Her father built houses and later became a successful real estate developer. Her mother worked as a bookkeeper for her father's business. Her parents encouraged her to read from a young age. This helped her develop a lifelong love for books. She once said, "I learned [how important reading is] at home from my mother. When I was a little girl, my mother would read stories to me. I have loved books and going to the library ever since." She also said her second-grade teacher inspired her interest in education.
In November 1963, two days after her 17th birthday, Laura Welch was in a car accident. She ran a stop sign and hit another car. The driver of the other car, Michael Dutton Douglas, was a close friend and classmate. He died in the accident. Laura and her passenger had minor injuries. She was not charged in the incident. Laura Bush later said that this accident was very tragic and painful for everyone involved.
She went to James Bowie Elementary School, San Jacinto Junior High School, and Robert E. Lee High School in Midland. She graduated from high school in 1964. Then, she went to Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education.
After college, she became a school teacher. She taught at Longfellow Elementary School in Dallas. Then, she taught for three years at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Houston.
In 1973, Laura Bush earned a Master of Science degree in Library Science from the University of Texas at Austin. She then worked as a librarian at the Kashmere Gardens Branch of the Houston Public Library. The next year, she moved back to Austin. She worked as a librarian at Dawson Elementary until 1977. She said in 2003, "I worked as a teacher and librarian and I learned how important reading is in school and in life."
Marriage and Family Life
Laura Welch met her husband in July 1977 at a barbecue. He asked her to marry him in September, and they were married on November 5, 1977. This was the day after her 31st birthday. The wedding took place at the First United Methodist Church in Midland. George W. Bush called marrying Laura the "best decision of [his] life." Laura, who was an only child, said she gained "brothers and sisters and wonderful in-laws" when she married George W. Bush.
The year after they married, the couple started campaigning for George W. Bush's 1978 run for Congress. Laura had joked that she would only marry him if she never had to give a campaign speech. But she soon changed her mind and gave her first speech for him in 1978. He lost that election.
Laura Bush attended the inauguration of her father-in-law, George H. W. Bush, as Ronald Reagan's vice-president in January 1981. She felt that his election helped her and her husband gain national attention.
The Bushes wanted to have children for three years. On November 25, 1981, Laura Bush gave birth to twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna. The twins were born five weeks early by an emergency Caesarean section. Laura had developed a serious health issue during her pregnancy.
The Bushes often visit their family estate, the Bush compound, in Kennebunkport, Maine. This is where the Bush family has gathered for nearly 100 years.
First Lady of Texas
Laura Bush became the First Lady of Texas when her husband was elected Governor of Texas. She served from January 17, 1995, to December 21, 2000. She said that politics did not "drive" her.
During her time in the Texas Governor's Mansion, Laura Bush worked for women's and children's causes. These included health, education, and literacy. She started four main programs:
- Take Time For Kids: This campaign taught parents and caregivers about good parenting.
- Family Literacy: She encouraged Texas communities to start family literacy programs, working with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.
- Reach Out and Read: A reading program for young children.
- Ready to Read: An early childhood education program.
She also raised money for public libraries by starting the Texas Book Festival in 1995. She created the First Lady's Family Literacy Initiative, which encouraged families to read together. Laura Bush also set up "Rainbow Rooms" across the state. These rooms provided emergency services for neglected or abused children. She also supported Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer awareness.
Her husband announced his campaign for President of the United States in mid-1999. Laura Bush agreed to this, though she said she never dreamed he would run for office. The Bush campaign wanted to assure voters that Laura Bush would not try to lead policy initiatives from the White House, unlike then-First Lady Hillary Clinton. When asked which past First Lady she would be like, she said she would be herself.
In July 2000, she gave a major speech at the Republican National Convention. This brought her national attention. In December 2000, her husband resigned as Governor of Texas to prepare for his inauguration as President in January 2001.
First Lady of the United States
As First Lady, Laura Bush focused on issues important to children and women, both in the U.S. and around the world. Her main efforts were in education and women's health.
Supporting Education and Children
Early in her husband's presidency, Laura Bush made it clear that she would focus on education. This included finding highly qualified teachers to ensure children were taught well. She also focused on early childhood development.
In 2001, she worked with the Library of Congress to start the yearly National Book Festival. This event promotes reading and education. Many organizations that support reading and libraries, including the National Basketball Association, took part. Laura Bush was the Honorary Chair from 2001 to 2008.
In January 2002, Laura Bush spoke to a Senate committee about education. She asked for higher teacher salaries and better training for Head Start programs. She also created a national program called "Ready to Read, Ready to Learn" to encourage reading at a young age. To promote American history in schools, she helped launch the National Anthem Project. In 2006, she helped secure a $500,000 grant for school libraries damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Laura Bush spoke about America's children: "We need to reassure our children that they are safe in their homes and schools. We need to reassure them that many people love them and care for them, and that while there are some bad people in the world, there are many more good people."
The next day, she wrote open letters to American families, especially students. She shared these letters through state education officials. She wanted to help children deal with the emotional effects of the attacks. On the first anniversary of 9/11, she encouraged parents to read to their children instead of letting them watch disturbing images on TV.
Later, the United Nations honored her by naming her honorary ambassador for the Decade of Literacy. In this role, she announced a Conference on Global Literacy. The conference, held in September 2006, promoted literacy efforts worldwide. She organized this after seeing how literacy helped children in poorer nations during her trips abroad.
Women's Health and Rights
Another important issue for Laura Bush was women's health and well-being. She started the Women's Health and Wellness Initiative. She also became involved with two major campaigns.
In 2003, Laura Bush joined The Heart Truth awareness campaign. This group, started by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, raises awareness about heart disease in women. She serves as an honorary ambassador for the program. She helps the government's effort to warn women about the risk of heart disease. She said, "Like many women, I assumed heart disease was a man's disease and cancer was what we would fear the most. Yet heart disease kills more women in our country than all forms of cancer combined." She traveled around the country, talking to women about their experiences with heart disease.
In May 2005, Laura Bush and former First Lady Nancy Reagan dedicated the First Ladies Red Dress Collection. This exhibit at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts features red dresses worn by former First Ladies. It aims to raise awareness about heart disease.
Laura Bush's mother, Jenna Welch, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 78. After surgery, she had no more signs of cancer. Laura Bush became a breast cancer activist because of her mother. She got involved with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She praised the foundation's work in fighting cancer. She also used her position to gain international support for the foundation. This was through the Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research of the Americas.
In November 2001, she became the first person other than a president to give the weekly presidential radio address. She used this chance to talk about the difficult situation of women in Afghanistan before the U.S. invasion. She said, "The brutal oppression of women is a central goal of the terrorists." Her husband felt she should give the address. She later said, "At that moment, it was not that I found my voice. Instead, it was as if my voice found me." Her words helped explain one of the reasons for U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. In March 2005, she made the first of three trips to Afghanistan as First Lady.
Campaigning and Public Image
Laura Bush campaigned for Republicans across the country in 2002. She attended fundraisers and gave speeches.
During the 2004 election, Laura Bush appeared with her husband on the campaign trail. She supported his re-election in a speech at the 2004 Republican National Convention. She was known for raising money for her husband's campaign and the Republican Party. In a July 2004 interview, Teresa Heinz, wife of Democratic candidate John Kerry, made a comment about Laura Bush's past jobs. Heinz later apologized, and Laura Bush accepted her apology.
Laura Bush was also active in the 2006 midterm elections. Her approval ratings were very high, even higher than President Bush's. She was often treated like a "rock star" on the campaign trail. She would praise Republican candidates and attend events with them. In September 2008, she spoke at the 2008 Republican National Convention. She appeared with Cindy McCain to help raise money for victims of Hurricane Gustav.
Laura Bush's approval ratings were consistently very high. In January 2006, a poll showed her approval rating at 82 percent. This made her one of the most popular first ladies. Many people found her easy to like because she focused on issues like literacy and breast cancer, which most Americans support. She was seen as a kind and polite woman.
During her husband's second inauguration in January 2005, Laura Bush was praised for her elegant fashion sense. She wore a winter white cashmere dress and coat designed by Oscar de la Renta. For the inaugural galas, she wore a pale, aqua lace gown, also by de la Renta. She looked "radiant and glamorous."
Foreign Trips
During her husband's second term, Laura Bush became more involved in foreign matters. She traveled to many countries to represent the United States.
She made five goodwill trips to Africa. These trips mainly aimed to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and malaria. This was part of the Bush administration's plan to fight global epidemics. She also emphasized the need for education and more opportunities for women. She visited countries like Zambia, Mozambique, Mali, Senegal, and Haiti to promote this plan.
In mid-2007, she visited Myanmar. There, she spoke in support of the pro-democracy movement. She urged soldiers to avoid violence. Later that October, she traveled to the Middle East. Laura Bush said she was trying to improve America's image by focusing on women's health. She promoted her breast cancer awareness work. She felt the trip was successful, saying that stereotypes were broken on both sides.
Overall, Laura Bush traveled to 77 countries during her husband's eight years as president. She visited 67 of these countries during his second term.
Laura Bush's Views on Policy
Laura Bush is a Republican. She has identified with the Republican Party since her marriage.
In a 2006 interview, she was asked about the Federal Marriage Amendment concerning same-sex marriage. She said that elected leaders should not make this issue political. She felt it needed to be discussed with great care.
In July 2005, while in South Africa, Laura Bush suggested that her husband replace retiring Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O'Connor with another woman. Later, President Bush nominated Harriet Miers. When Miers faced criticism, Laura Bush wondered if it was sexist.
Laura Bush's Legacy
In late 2008, Laura Bush met with staff and historians to discuss how she wanted to be remembered. This was the first time a First Lady had directly talked to historians about her achievements. Those at the meeting said Laura Bush wanted to change the idea that she was just a traditional First Lady who always stayed by her husband's side.
In 2017, a journalist suggested that Laura Bush's efforts to help Afghan women may have led to more women working in the private sector in Afghanistan.
Laura Bush was very popular with the American public, both as First Lady and after leaving office. When the Bushes left the White House in 2009, her popularity was almost universal. She was seen as a strong supporter of George W. Bush's legacy. A 2014 poll about the most popular First Ladies in the past 25 years ranked Laura Bush fourth, behind Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush, and Michelle Obama.
Life After the White House
In February 2009, Laura and George W. Bush moved to a new home in Dallas. In November 2009, they visited families of veterans at Fort Hood. They wanted the trip to be private, but it was reported by the news.
In May 2010, Laura Bush released her memoir, Spoken from the Heart. The book received positive responses from readers. In March 2016, her non-fiction book about oppressed women in Afghanistan, We Are Afghan Women: Voices of Hope, was published. She also wrote two children's books with her daughter Jenna: Read All About It! (2008) and Our Great Big Backyard (2016).
On May 11, 2010, during an interview, Laura Bush was asked about same-sex marriage. She said she saw it as an issue that would likely become legal in the future. She believed that "when couples are committed to each other and love each other... they ought to have the same sort of rights that everyone has."
Laura Bush continued to care about the situation of women in Afghanistan. She wrote articles and made appearances in 2013, saying that the women and girls who had been helped should not be left behind after U.S. troops left Afghanistan. In March 2016, she wrote an article calling for continued American involvement in Afghanistan. In late 2017, Laura Bush and First Lady of Afghanistan Rula Ghani traveled to Washington to ask lawmakers for support for Afghanistan and its women.
In April 2015, Laura Bush disagreed with Rand Paul's view on U.S. foreign aid. She called his view "not really realistic" and said the U.S. should save lives when it can. That August, she shared the first public photos of her newborn granddaughter, Poppy Louise.
Public Appearances
On May 31, 2012, Laura Bush and her husband unveiled their official portraits at the White House. The portraits were painted by John Howard Sanden. Laura Bush joked that "nothing makes a house a home like having portraits of its former occupants staring down at you from the walls."
In April 2013, Laura Bush attended a news conference. She said the recently built George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum was not just a monument to her husband. Instead, it showed the White House and America's challenges during his time as president. She also continued to stress the importance of child literacy. In early August 2013, she reported that her husband was doing well after a heart procedure.
In 2015, Laura Bush made several speeches about issues related to her husband's presidency. She attended the 100th anniversary of Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park. She also visited New Orleans to mark the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
In February 2016, Laura Bush was a keynote speaker at the Go Red for Women Summit in Austin. This event promotes funding and awareness for women fighting heart disease. In March, she attended the funeral of Nancy Reagan. In July, she attended the memorial service for victims of the Dallas police officers shooting.
In April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama appeared together on a TV concert special. They thanked healthcare workers, first responders, and other essential workers.
.jpg)
On September 11, 2021, Laura Bush and her husband marked the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks at the Flight 93 National Memorial.
Friendship with Michelle Obama
During the Obama presidency, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama became friends. Despite their political differences, Michelle Obama called Laura Bush a friend and a role model. She said Laura Bush set "a high bar" for her as First Lady. Laura Bush defended Michelle Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign when she received criticism for a remark.
After the 2008 election, Michelle Obama met with Laura Bush at the White House. Laura Bush gave her a tour of their future home.
In September 2009, Laura Bush praised President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. She said President Obama was doing well and complimented Michelle Obama for making the White House a "comfortable home."
The next year, in September 2010, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama marked the ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks. They led a ceremony at a national memorial park. They both praised each other in their speeches.
In July 2013, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama appeared together in Africa at the First Ladies Summit. Their husbands were also there. Both women emphasized the importance of being role models.
In March 2015, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama were named co-chairs of the Find Your Park campaign. This effort aims to increase support for national parks. They made a joint appearance at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in September 2015. Laura Bush said their collaborations were "a great example for the world to see that women in different political parties... agree on so many issues."
Involvement with the Republican Party
In late 2012, Laura Bush campaigned for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. She hosted a fundraiser and appeared at a campaign event in Livonia, Michigan. She also campaigned for vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan.
After the 2012 election, Laura Bush was asked if the Republican Party's views on social issues, like same-sex marriage, caused them to lose female voters. She said some candidates had "frightened some candidates." However, she liked that the Republican Party had room for different opinions.
Throughout 2015, Laura Bush was active in her brother-in-law Jeb Bush's presidential campaign. She hosted fundraisers and supported him. This was her most political involvement since leaving the White House. She and her husband were "huge Jeb supporters." In February 2016, she traveled to South Carolina with her husband to support Jeb Bush. After he dropped out of the race, Laura Bush did not say if she would vote for Donald Trump. She said the U.S. was going through a period of xenophobia at the time. Ultimately, Laura Bush and her husband did not vote for a president in 2016.
On January 20, 2017, Laura Bush and her husband attended the inauguration of Donald Trump. In November, she said she wished the Trumps "the very best." She had been in contact with former First Lady Melania Trump.
On June 17, 2018, Laura Bush wrote an article strongly opposing the Trump administration family separation policy. She mentioned how her mother-in-law, Barbara Bush, had comforted a crying baby with AIDS in 1989. Laura Bush said she was shocked that workers at border shelters were told "not to pick up or touch the children to comfort them."
On January 20, 2021, Laura Bush and her husband attended the inauguration of Joe Biden.
Laura Bush's Work with Libraries
Laura Bush created the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries. This foundation helps school libraries buy new books. Every year, the foundation gives over $1,000,000 to U.S. schools.
The Laura Bush 21st Century Library Program grant helps train library students and professionals. It also supports new library programs. This grant aims to provide equal opportunities for all.
In May 2015, Laura Bush gave a $7,000 grant to six schools in Austin, Texas.
After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the Laura Bush Foundation gave grants to school libraries. These grants helped libraries whose collections were damaged or destroyed. In 2017, after Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and the California wildfires, the foundation again helped disaster-affected schools rebuild their book collections.
Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health
In August 2007, the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health (LWBIWH) was started at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. This institute focuses on research, education, and community outreach for women's health. It aims to create a women's health institute across several campuses in Texas.
A part of this center, the Jenna Welch Women's Center, opened in Midland, Texas, in August 2010. It provides expert medical care to women and their families. This center is named after Laura Bush's mother.
Laura Bush's Writings
Laura Bush wrote her first book with her daughter Jenna called Read All About It!. It was published in 2008. Her memoir, Spoken from the Heart, was published in 2010. Her non-fiction book about women in Afghanistan, We Are Afghan Women: Voices of Hope, was published in 2016. She wrote another children's book with Jenna, Our Great Big Backyard, in 2016.
Awards and Honors
Laura Bush has received many awards and honors. In October 2002, the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity honored her for her work in education. She was also named Barbara Walters' Most Fascinating Person of the year in 2002.
The American Library Association honored her in April 2005 for her support of America's libraries.
In October 2003, she received the Order of Gabriela Silang from former Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. This made her the first U.S. First Lady to receive this award.
She received an award from the Kuwait-American Foundation in March 2006 for helping improve children's lives and education worldwide. In May 2006, she received The Nichols-Chancellor's Medal from Vanderbilt University on behalf of disaster relief workers. In 2007, she received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
Four learning centers have been named after her:
- The Laura Welch Bush Elementary School in Houston, Texas
- The Laura W. Bush Elementary School near Austin, Texas
- The Laura Bush Middle School in Lubbock, Texas
- The Laura Bush Education Center at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo
In 2012, Laura Bush was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Texas at Austin.
In October 2015, she received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Wayland Baptist University. This was for her work in education, health care, and human rights. In November, she received the 2015 Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award.
In November 2016, she received the 10 for 10 award from Women's Democracy Network. This was for her years of work for Afghan women's rights.
In 2018, Laura Bush and former President George W. Bush received the National Constitution Center Liberty Medal. This was for their work with U.S. military veterans. In 2021, Bush received the Concordia Leadership Award.
Images for kids
-
Official signature
See also
In Spanish: Laura Bush para niños
