Laura Bush

Laura Bush
Name	Laura Bush
Caption	Official portrait, 2005
Office	First Lady of the United States
President	George W. Bush
Term start	January 20, 2001
Term end	January 20, 2009
Predecessor	Hillary Clinton
Successor	Michelle Obama
Office2	First Lady of Texas
Governor2	George W. Bush
Term start2	January 17, 1995
Term end2	December 21, 2000
Predecessor2	Rita Crocker Clements
Successor2	Anita Thigpen Perry
Birth name	Laura Lane Welch
Birth date	4 November 1946
Birth place	Midland, Texas, U.S.
Party	Republican
Spouse	George W. Bush, November 5, 1977
Children	Barbara, Jenna
Education	Southern Methodist University (BS), University of Texas at Austin (MS)

Laura Bush. She served as the First Lady of the United States from 2001 to 2009 during the administration of her husband, President George W. Bush. A former teacher and librarian, she championed education, literacy, and women's health initiatives throughout her public life. Her tenure was marked by advocacy for global human rights and a steadfast public presence during national crises, including the September 11 attacks.

Early life and education

Laura Lane Welch was born in Midland, Texas, to Harold Welch, a home builder, and Jenna Hawkins Welch. She was raised alongside an older sister in a close-knit family that valued education and reading. She attended James Bowie Elementary School and later Robert E. Lee High School, graduating in 1964. She then enrolled at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1968. She subsequently obtained a Master of Science in library science from the University of Texas at Austin in 1973, preparing for a career as a librarian.

Teaching and library career

Following her undergraduate studies, she began her professional life as a second-grade teacher at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in the Houston Independent School District. After completing her master's degree, she worked as a librarian at the Molly Dawson Elementary School in the Austin Independent School District. She later served as a librarian at Houston Public Library's Kashmere Gardens Branch, demonstrating a deep commitment to fostering childhood literacy and access to books. Her career in public education and libraries profoundly shaped her future policy interests.

First Lady of Texas

After marrying George W. Bush in 1977, she became actively involved in his political career. When he was elected Governor of Texas in 1994, she assumed the role of First Lady of Texas. In this capacity, she launched her signature initiative, the Texas Book Festival, which raised funds for public libraries across the state. She also championed early childhood development programs and promoted awareness of breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease, causes she would continue to support on the national stage. Her work established her as a respected advocate for education and health.

First Lady of the United States

As First Lady, she focused on national education reform, highlighting the importance of early childhood reading through the Ready to Read, Ready to Learn initiative. She convened the National Book Festival in partnership with the Library of Congress. Following the September 11 attacks, she delivered a nationally broadcast address to reassure the nation's children and later became a prominent advocate for the women of Afghanistan, speaking about their plight before the Congress and the United Nations. She also launched global health efforts like the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon partnership to combat cervical and breast cancer in developing nations and was a vocal supporter of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

Post–White House years

Since leaving the White House, she has remained active in public policy and philanthropy. She founded the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries to support school libraries. She has continued her work with the George W. Bush Institute, focusing on global health, education reform, and human rights, particularly women's empowerment in the Middle East. She has authored a bestselling memoir, Spoken from the Heart, and, with her daughter Jenna Bush Hager, co-authored children's books. She remains a prominent figure in the Republican Party and frequently participates in national discussions on literacy and democracy.

Personal life

She met George W. Bush at a backyard barbecue in Midland, Texas, and they were married in November 1977. The couple has twin daughters, Barbara Pierce Bush and Jenna Bush Hager, born in 1981. The family divides their time between residences in Dallas, Crawford, and Kennebunkport, Maine. An avid reader and gardener, she has described her personal interests as a source of balance and reflection. Her life has been marked by a deep personal faith and a long-standing commitment to her family, including her parents-in-law, former President George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush.

Category:1946 births Category:Living people Category:First Ladies of the United States Category:American librarians Category:People from Midland, Texas