Laura Bush
{{short description|First Lady of the United States from 2001 to 2009}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Laura Bush
| image = Laura Bush portrait.jpg
| office = First Lady of the United States
| president = George W. Bush
| term_start = January 20, 2001
| term_end = January 20, 2009
| term_label = In role
| predecessor = Hillary Clinton
| successor = Michelle Obama
| office1 = First Lady of Texas
| governor1 = George W. Bush
| term_start1 = January 17, 1995
| term_end1 = December 21, 2000
| term_label1 = In role
| predecessor1 = Rita Crocker Clements (1987–1991)
| successor1 = Anita Thigpen Perry
| birth_name = Laura Lane Welch
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=y|1946|11|4}}
| birth_place = Midland, Texas, U.S.
| party = Republican
| spouse = {{marriage|George W. Bush|1977}}
| children = {{hlist|Barbara|Jenna}}
| education = Southern Methodist University (BS)
University of Texas at Austin (MLS)
| signature = Laura Bush signature.svg
| caption = Official portrait, 2005
| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Laura Bush on the treatment of children and women by the Taliban.ogg
|title=Laura Bush's voice|type=speech|description=Laura Bush on the treatment of children and women by the Taliban
Recorded November 15, 2001}}
}}
Laura Lane Welch Bush{{cite web | url=https://firstladies.org/home/first-ladies/laura-bush | title=Meet the First Ladies of the U.S. }} (née Welch; born November 4, 1946) is an American educator who was the first lady of the United States from 2001 to 2009 as the wife of George W. Bush, the 43rd president of the United States.{{cite web |title=Laura Welch Bush |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/laura-welch-bush/ |website=The White House |access-date=July 4, 2019 |archive-date=July 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705015612/https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/first-ladies/laura-welch-bush/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Biography of Mrs. Laura Welch Bush |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/1600/first-ladies/laurabush |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |access-date=June 23, 2009 |archive-date=June 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626223537/http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/georgewbush/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=44|title=Laura Bush First Ladies Biography|access-date=June 23, 2016|publisher=National First Ladies' Library|archive-date=May 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509085633/http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=44|url-status=dead}} Bush was previously the first lady of Texas from 1995 to 2000 when her husband was governor.
Born in Midland, Texas, Bush graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in education, and took a job as a second grade teacher. After attaining her master's degree in library science at the University of Texas at Austin, she was employed as a librarian.
In 1963, when the future first lady was 17, she ran a stop sign and struck another vehicle. The driver of that other car, a 17-year-old classmate named Michael Douglas, was killed.
Bush met her future husband, George W. Bush, in 1977, and they were married later that year. The couple had twin daughters in 1981. Bush's political involvement began during her marriage. She campaigned with her husband during his unsuccessful 1978 run for the United States Congress, and later for his successful Texas gubernatorial campaign.
As First Lady of Texas, Bush implemented many initiatives focused on health, education, and literacy. In 1999–2000, she aided her husband in campaigning for the presidency in a number of ways, such as delivering a keynote address at the 2000 Republican National Convention, which gained her national attention. She became first lady after her husband was inaugurated as president on January 20, 2001.
Polled by The Gallup Organization as one of the most popular first ladies, Bush was involved in national and global concerns during her tenure. She continued to advance her trademark interests of education and literacy by establishing the annual National Book Festival in 2001."Laura Bush Announces Foundation and Festival.(wife of President George Bush)." American Libraries (Chicago, Ill.) 32, no. 8 (2001): 16 She encouraged education on a worldwide scale. She also advanced women's causes through The Heart Truth and Susan G. Komen for the Cure organizations. She represented the United States during her foreign trips, which tended to focus on HIV/AIDS and malaria awareness.
Early life and career
Laura Lane Welch was born on November 4, 1946, at Midland Memorial Hospital in Midland, Texas, the only child of Harold Bruce Welch (1912–1995) and Jenna Louise Welch (1919–2019, {{nee}} Hawkins).{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qBwN7yqmF7sC&pg=PT26|title=Laura Bush: An Intimate Portrait of the First Lady|isbn=9780385518970|last1=Kessler|first1=Ronald|date=April 4, 2006|publisher=Crown }}{{cite web |url=http://www.notablebiographies.com/Br-Ca/Bush-Laura.html |title=Laura Bush Biography |access-date=May 24, 2008 |publisher=Advameg, Inc |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613225949/http://www.notablebiographies.com/Br-Ca/Bush-Laura.html }}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=naSsDAAAQBAJ&q=Jenna+Louise+Hawkins+Welch+July+24%2C+1919&pg=PA42-IA1|title=Ranking the First Ladies: True Tales and Trivia, from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama|first=Ian Randal|last=Strock|date=July 5, 2016|publisher=Carrel Books|isbn=9781631440601|via=Google Books}} She is of English, French, and Swiss ancestry.{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/the-allamerican-icons-with-british-roots-7166158.html |title=The all-American icons with British roots |newspaper=London Evening Standard |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025222346/http://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/the-allamerican-icons-with-british-roots-7166158.html |archive-date=October 25, 2012}}
Her father was a house builder and later successful real estate developer, while her mother worked as the bookkeeper for her father's business.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2000/democracy/bush/stories/laura/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514064711/http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2000/democracy/bush/stories/laura/ |archive-date=May 14, 2008 |title=Laura Bush: A supportive but behind-the-scenes spouse |access-date=May 25, 2008 |publisher=CNN |year=2001 |url-status=dead}} Early on, her parents encouraged her to read, leading to what would become her love of reading. She 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. In the summer, I liked to spend afternoons reading in the library. I enjoyed the Little House on the Prairie and Little Women books, and many others ... Reading gives you enjoyment throughout your life." Bush has also credited her second grade teacher, Charlene Gnagy, for inspiring her interest in education.{{cite encyclopedia|title=Laura Bush |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of World Biography |location=Detroit |volume=25 |year=2005 |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Laura_Bush.aspx |publisher=Gale |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314022604/http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Laura_Bush.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=March 14, 2014}}
On the night of November 6, 1963, two days after her 17th birthday, Laura Bush ran a stop sign and struck another car, killing its driver.{{cite news|date=February 15, 2004 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/15/books/review/15TONERT.html?ex=1392181200&en=012678f2554876f8&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND |author=Robin Toner |title='The Perfect Wife': The Un-Hillary |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513222229/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/15/books/review/15TONERT.html?ex=1392181200&en=012678f2554876f8&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND |archive-date=May 13, 2011 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |work=BBC News |place=Washington |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4876760.stm |author=Matthew Davis |title=Inside (the) private world of Laura Bush |date=April 5, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514164832/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4876760.stm |archive-date=May 14, 2008 |url-status=live}} The victim was her close friend and classmate Michael Dutton Douglas. By some accounts, Douglas had been Bush's boyfriend at one time, but she stated that he was not her boyfriend at that time but rather a very close friend.{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/politics/bush/laura.asp|title=TRUE: Laura Bush Fatal Car Accident : snopes.com|date=December 20, 2015|work=snopes}} Bush and her passenger, both 17, were treated for minor injuries. According to the accident report released by the city of Midland in 2000, in response to an open-records request, she was not charged in the incident.{{cite news|work=USA Today |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/opinion/e1698.htm |title=Mrs. Bush ran stop sign in fatal crash |date=May 3, 2000 |access-date=May 24, 2008 |archive-date=October 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009064157/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/opinion/e1698.htm |url-status=dead}}Midland police report In 2000 Laura Bush's spokesman said, "It was a very tragic accident that deeply affected the families and was very painful for all involved, including the community at large." In her book Spoken from the Heart, she said that the crash caused her to lose her faith "for many, many years".{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/books/28laura.html?_r=0 |title=Laura Bush Opens Up About Crash |work=The New York Times |date=April 27, 2010 |access-date=April 30, 2010 |first=Anahad |last=O'Connor |archive-date=April 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429053236/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/books/28laura.html |url-status=live}}
She attended James Bowie Elementary School, San Jacinto Junior High School, and Robert E. Lee High School in Midland.{{cite web |url=http://www.bushchildhoodhome.org/family_history |title=History and research |publisher=George W. Bush Childhood Home, Inc |access-date=May 24, 2008 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130024852/http://www.bushchildhoodhome.org/family_history |archive-date=January 30, 2009 }} She graduated from Lee in 1964"[https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9345365/Laura-Welch-Bush Laura Welch Bush] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509230219/http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9345365/Laura-Welch-Bush |date=May 9, 2008 }}." Encyclopædia Britannica and went on to attend Southern Methodist University in Dallas where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. She graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education.
After graduating from SMU, she began her career as a school teacher at Longfellow Elementary School in the Dallas Independent School District.{{cite news|publisher=CBS|access-date=May 24, 2008|title=Laura Welch Bush|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/politics/inauguration/family.pdf|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304234447/http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/politics/inauguration/family.pdf|url-status=live}} She then taught for three years at John F. Kennedy Elementary School, a Houston Independent School District school in Houston, until 1972.
In 1973, Bush attained a Master of Science degree in Library Science from the University of Texas at Austin. She was soon employed as a librarian at the Kashmere Gardens Branch at the Houston Public Library. The following year, she moved back to Austin and took another job as a librarian in the Austin Independent School District school Dawson Elementary until 1977. She reflected on her employment experiences to a group of children in 2003, saying, "I worked as a teacher and librarian and I learned how important reading is in school and in life."{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2003/05/20030520-17.html |title=Mrs. Bush's Remarks at Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries Grant Awards |access-date=May 25, 2008 |date=May 20, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514222533/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2003/05/20030520-17.html |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |url-status=live}}
Marriage and family
Bush met her husband in July 1977 when mutual friends Joe and Jan O'Neill invited them to a backyard barbecue at their home. He proposed to her at the end of September and they were married on November 5 of that year, the day after her 31st birthday,{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/bush/profile.html |title=Read her lips: Literacy efforts on first lady's agenda |date=April 8, 2001 |access-date=May 25, 2008 |agency=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612125945/http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/bush/profile.html |archive-date=June 12, 2008 |url-status=dead}} at the First United Methodist Church in Midland, the same church in which she had been baptized.{{cite web |author=Stritof, Sheri and Bob |url=http://marriage.about.com/od/celebritymarriages/p/georgewbush.htm |title=George and Laura Bush |access-date=May 25, 2008 |work=About.com |publisher=The New York Times Company |archive-date=October 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008010814/http://marriage.about.com/od/celebritymarriages/p/georgewbush.htm |url-status=dead }} The couple honeymooned in Cozumel, Mexico.{{cite book|title=Spoken from the Heart|last=Bush|first=Laura|year=2010|publisher=Scribner|isbn=978-1-4391-5520-2|url=https://archive.org/details/spokenfromheart00bush}} [http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Former-First-Lady-Laura-Bush excerpt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020163226/http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Former-First-Lady-Laura-Bush |date=October 20, 2011 }} available at Oprah.com. George W. Bush detailed his choice to marry Laura as the "best decision of [his] life".{{cite book|title=Decision Points|page=27|first=George W.|last=Bush |year=2011|publisher=Broadway Books|isbn=978-0307590633}} Laura, an only child, said she gained "brothers and sisters and wonderful in-laws" who all accepted her after she wed George W. Bush.{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2005/may/1/20050501-105521-4706r/?page=all|title=Laura leaves 'em laughing, gasping|date=May 1, 2005|newspaper=The Washington Times|access-date=February 23, 2016|archive-date=October 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021172508/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2005/may/1/20050501-105521-4706r/?page=all|url-status=live}}
Image:Bush daughters.png and Barbara Bush, Kennebunkport, 1990]]
The year after their marriage, the couple began campaigning for George W. Bush's 1978 Congressional candidacy. According to George Bush, when he asked her to marry him, she had said, "Yes. But only if you promise me that I'll never have to make a campaign speech." She soon relented and gave her first stump speech for him in 1978 on the courthouse steps in Muleshoe, Texas.{{cite news|title=Laura Welch Bush: Shy no more|first=John|last=Hanchette|newspaper=USA Today|date=June 23, 2000|access-date=April 21, 2011|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/e2147.htm|archive-date=May 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516090753/http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/e2147.htm|url-status=live}} After narrowly winning the primary, he lost the general election.
Bush attended the inauguration of her father-in-law George H. W. Bush as Ronald Reagan's vice-president in January 1981, after Reagan won the 1980 United States presidential election.{{cite book|title=Decision Points|page=42|first=George W.|last=Bush |year=2011|publisher=Broadway Books|isbn=978-0307590633}} She credited her father-in-law's election to the vice presidency with giving her and her husband national exposure.{{cite book|title=Spoken From The Heart|first=Laura|last=Bush|page=[https://archive.org/details/spokenfromheart00bush/page/103 103.]|year=2010|publisher=Scribner|isbn=978-1439155202|url=https://archive.org/details/spokenfromheart00bush/page/103}}
The Bushes had tried to conceive for three years, but pregnancy did not happen easily. On November 25, 1981, Laura Bush gave birth to fraternal twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna. The twins were born five weeks early by an emergency Caesarean section in Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, as Laura had developed life-threatening pre-eclampsia (toxemia).
George W. Bush credited his wife with his decision to stop drinking in 1986.{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/bush/articles/2000/01/23/george_w_bush/ |access-date=August 23, 2009 |date=January 23, 2000 |archive-date=May 7, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040507200414/http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/bush/articles/2000/01/23/george_w_bush/ |title=Turning Point: George W. Bush, A Legacy Reclaimed |last=Leonard |first=Mary |work=The Boston Globe |url-status=dead}} She reflected that she thought her husband "was drinking too much" amid her knowing it was not his desired way of living. Approaching him, she related that her father had been alcoholic and it was not a pattern she wished to repeat in their family.{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/george-and-laura-bush-theres-no-do-overs/|title=George and Laura Bush: "There's No Do-Overs"|date=November 14, 2010|work=CBS News|access-date=December 7, 2015|archive-date=May 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516100049/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/george-and-laura-bush-theres-no-do-overs/|url-status=live}}
She is also credited with having a stabilizing effect on his private life. According to People magazine reporter Jane Simms Podesta, "She is the steel in his back. She is a civilizing influence on him. I think she built him, in many ways, into the person he is today."
Bush traveled to Kuwait in April 1993, accompanying her in-laws as well as brothers-in-law Jeb and Marvin Bush after former president Bush was invited to return to the Middle East for the first time since his presidency.{{cite book|title=George H. W. Bush: The American Presidents Series: The 41st President, 1989–1993|page=[https://archive.org/details/georgehwbush0000naft_v9m8/page/156 156.]|first=Timothy|last=Naftali|year=2003|publisher=Times Books|isbn=0805069666|url=https://archive.org/details/georgehwbush0000naft_v9m8/page/156}}
Several times a year, Bush and her husband travel to their sprawling family estate, the Bush compound, better known as Walker's Point. Located in Kennebunkport, Maine, the compound is where Bush family gatherings have been held for nearly 100 years.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/george-w-bush-and-laura-bush-adopt-a-puppy/|title=George W. Bush and Laura Bush adopt a puppy|work=CBS News|date=November 15, 2016|access-date=November 21, 2016|archive-date=November 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122153504/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/george-w-bush-and-laura-bush-adopt-a-puppy/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/11/15/george-w-bushs-election-day-surprise-he-and-laura-bush-adopted-a-puppy/|title=George W. Bush's Election Day surprise: He and Laura Bush adopted a puppy|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=November 21, 2016|archive-date=November 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122071754/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/11/15/george-w-bushs-election-day-surprise-he-and-laura-bush-adopted-a-puppy/|url-status=live}}
First Lady of Texas
Image:George H. W. Bush, Laura Bush, George W. Bush 1997.jpg, 1997]]
Bush became the First Lady of Texas when her husband was elected as the Governor of Texas and served as first lady of that state from January 17, 1995, to December 21, 2000.{{cite web|url=http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/tslac/80001/tsl-80001.html |title=Texas Governor George W. Bush: An Inventory of First Lady Laura Bush's Files (Part I) at the Texas State Archives, about 1994–1999, bulk 1995–1999 |access-date=May 25, 2008 |publisher=University of Texas at Austin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011163228/http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/tslac/80001/tsl-80001.html |archive-date=October 11, 2008 |url-status=dead}} When asked about her interest in politics, she responded "It doesn't drive me."
Though during her years in the Governor's Mansion, she did not hold a single formal event,{{cite news|access-date=December 13, 2006 |agency=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/bush/profile.html |title=Literacy efforts on first lady's agenda |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012221142/http://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/bush/profile.html |url-status=live}} Laura worked for women's and children's causes including health, education, and literacy. She implemented four major initiatives: Take Time For Kids, an awareness campaign to educate parents and caregivers on parenting; family literacy, through cooperation with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, she urged Texas communities to establish family literacy programs; Reach Out and Read, a pediatric reading program; and Ready to Read, an early childhood educational program.
She raised money for public libraries through her establishment of the Texas Book Festival, in 1995.Texas Book Festival, [https://www.texasbookfestival.org/mission-and-history/ Mission and History.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928004258/https://www.texasbookfestival.org/mission-and-history/ |date=September 28, 2021 }} She established the First Lady's Family Literacy Initiative, which encouraged families to read together.{{cite web |url=http://web3.unt.edu/news/story.cfm?story=7095 |title=First lady of Texas Laura Bush to speak at UNT September 4 |last=Kolsti |first=Nancy |access-date=December 13, 2006 |date=August 5, 1997 |publisher=University of North Texas |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012214245/http://web3.unt.edu/news/story.cfm?story=7095 |url-status=dead}}Hollandsworth, Skip. "Reading Laura Bush." Texas Monthly (Austin) 24, no. 11 (1996): 120–121. Bush further established "Rainbow Rooms" across the state, in an effort to provide emergency services for neglected or abused children. Through this, she promoted the Adopt-a-Caseworker Program to provide support for Child Protective Services. She used her position to advocate Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer awareness as well.
Her husband announced his campaign for President of the United States in mid-1999, something that she agreed to. She did say, however, that she had never dreamed that he would run for office.{{cite news|access-date=May 28, 2008 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/03/us/first-lady-of-texas-plays-a-firm-second-fiddle.html |title=First Lady of Texas Plays a Firm Second Fiddle |work=The New York Times |last=Berke |first=Richard L |date=August 3, 1999 |archive-date=December 5, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205165934/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F07E2DF1E31F930A3575BC0A96F958260}} The Bush campaign worked to assure voters that as First Lady, she would not seek to emulate then-First Lady Hillary Clinton, who had faced controversy for leading several policy initiatives from within the White House despite being unelected. When asked who she would be like out of the past First Ladies, she insisted it would be herself.{{cite news|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2003/03/19/in-wartime-being-just-laura-just-isnt-enough/|title=In wartime, being 'just Laura' just isn't enough|first=Barbara|last=Friedman|date=March 19, 2003|newspaper=Baltimore Sun|access-date=November 28, 2015|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208171932/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2003-03-19/news/0303190012_1_laura-bush-first-lady-lady-bird-johnson|url-status=live}}
In July, she delivered a keynote address to the delegates at the 2000 Republican National Convention, which put her on the national stage.{{cite news|access-date=May 28, 2008 |date=August 1, 2000 |author=Reaves, Jessica |url=http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/08/01/laura8_1.a.tm/ |agency=CNN |title=Now making her bow: The un-Hillary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205172343/http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/08/01/laura8_1.a.tm/ |archive-date=December 5, 2008 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news|work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/01/us/the-republicans-excerpts-from-laura-bush-s-speech-to-the-gop-convention.html |title=The Republicans; Excerpts From Laura Bush's Speech to the G.O.P. Convention |access-date=May 28, 2008 |date=August 1, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205165928/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D05E5DF113DF932A3575BC0A9669C8B63 |url-status=live |archive-date=December 5, 2008}} In December 2000, her husband resigned as Governor of Texas to prepare for his inauguration as President of the United States in January 2001.
First Lady of the United States
As First Lady, Bush was involved in issues of concern to children and women, both nationally and internationally.{{cite web|access-date=May 25, 2008 |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/firstlady/flbio.html |title=Biography |archive-date=February 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214000101/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/firstlady/flbio.html |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |url-status=live}} Her major initiatives included education and women's health.
=Education and children and the National Book Festival=
Early into the administration, Bush made it known that she would focus much of her attention on education. This included recruiting highly qualified teachers to ensure that young children would be taught well.{{cite news |url=http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2001/02/wh-0226.html |title=First Lady Laura Bush Launches Education Initiatives |access-date=May 26, 2008 |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |date=February 26, 2001 |archive-date=October 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006080554/http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2001/02/wh-0226.html |url-status=dead}} She also focused on early child development.
In 2001, to promote reading and education, she partnered with the Library of Congress to launch the annual National Book Festival.Stevens, Roberta A. "Report on the National Book Festival, September 8, 2001." Collection building 21.4 (2002): 171–173. More than 60 organizations that promote reading, literacy, and libraries—including the National Basketball Association participated.Kniffel, Leonard.(2001) "Authors Take Center Stage at First National Book Festival". American Libraries 32: (October): 16 Chicago: American Library Association, 2001. Bush served as Honorary Chair from 2001 to 2008.[https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/firstlady/initiatives/nationalbookfestival.html The National Book Festival] The White House. President George W. Bush
In January 2002, Bush testified before the Senate Committee on Education, asking for higher teachers' salaries and better training for Head Start programs. She is also credited with creating a national initiative called "Ready to Read, Ready to Learn", which promotes reading at a young age. To promote American patriotic heritage in schools, she helped launch the National Anthem Project. In 2006, Bush and media executives worked together to provide a $500,000 grant for school libraries along the Gulf Coast which had been devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Immediately following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Bush spoke regarding 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."{{cite news |date=November 8, 2001 |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/11/20011108-7.html |title=Mrs. Laura Bush Speaks at the National Press Club |access-date=May 25, 2008 |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514161913/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/11/20011108-7.html |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |url-status=live}}
Image:Romanian children greet Bushes 2002.jpg, 2002.]]
Image:Laura Bush with children 2005.jpg, 2005.]]
The following day, she composed open letters to America's families, focusing on elementary and middle school students, which she distributed through state education officials.{{cite news|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/09/letter1.html |title=Mrs. Bush's Letter to Middle and High School Students Following Terrorist Attacks |access-date=December 13, 2006 |date=September 12, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514222444/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/09/letter1.html |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |url-status=live}}{{cite news|access-date=December 13, 2006 |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/09/letter2.html |title=Mrs. Bush's Letter to Elementary School Students Following Terrorist Attacks |date=September 12, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514222505/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/09/letter2.html |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |url-status=live}} She took an interest in mitigating the emotional effects of the attacks on children, particularly the disturbing images repeatedly replayed on television.{{cite news|title=First lady: Turn off TVs on 9/11 |access-date=May 25, 2008 |url=http://archives.cnn.com/2002/US/09/08/ar911.first.lady/ |agency=CNN |date=September 11, 2002 |archive-date=June 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601094302/http://archives.cnn.com/2002/US/09/08/ar911.first.lady/ |url-status=dead}} On the one-year anniversary, she encouraged parents to instead read to their children, and perhaps light a candle in memoriam, saying, "Don't let your children see the images, especially on September 11, when you know it'll probably be on television again and again – the plane hitting the building or the buildings falling."
Later in her tenure, she was honored by the United Nations, as the body named her honorary ambassador for the United Nations' Decade of Literacy. In this position, she announced that she would host a Conference on Global Literacy.{{cite news|title=Secretary Spellings Spoke at UNESCO's 'Education for All' Event |url=http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2006/04/04242006a.html |date=April 26, 2006 |access-date=May 26, 2008 |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829004602/http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2006/04/04242006a.html |archive-date=August 29, 2008 |url-status=dead}} The conference, held in September 2006, encouraged a constant effort to promote literacy and highlighted many successful literacy programs.{{cite news|access-date=May 26, 2008 |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/09/20060918-1.html |title=Mrs. Laura Bush Hosts White House Conference on Global Literacy |date=September 18, 2006 |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514222529/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/09/20060918-1.html |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |url-status=live}}Laura Bush. "Global Literacy." Vital Speeches of the Day 71, no. 11 (2005): 322– She coordinated this as a result of her many trips abroad where she witnessed how literacy benefited children in poorer nations.
On July 28, 2008, she visited Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in Flat Rock, North Carolina, where she met with superintendent Connie Backlund and the Friends of Carl Sandburg Home's President Linda Holt as well as various students from Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County, North Carolina.{{cite news|date=July 28, 2008 |access-date=June 14, 2014 |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/07/20080728-12.html |title=Mrs. Bush's Remarks during a visit to the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714221757/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/07/20080728-12.html |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |url-status=live}}
On October 3, 2008, she visited Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum where she praised her works such as Farmer Boy, These Happy Golden Years and Little House on the Prairie, the last of which she had felt an association with as a child. During the same Laura Ingalls Wilder's estate visit, she said that she read her books to her daughters and gave the writer Save America's Treasures grant.{{cite news|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/10/20081003-20.html |title=Mrs. Bush's Remarks During Visit to Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum |place=Mansfield, Missouri |date=October 3, 2008 |access-date=June 14, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714180043/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/10/20081003-20.html |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |url-status=live}}
=September 11 attacks=
On September 11, 2001, Bush had been hosting her in-laws George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush at the White House and was scheduled to give a testimony to Congress on education.{{cite book|title=George H. W. Bush: The American Presidents Series: The 41st President, 1989–1993|page=[https://archive.org/details/georgehwbush0000naft_v9m8/page/171 171.]|first=Timothy|last=Naftali|year=2003|publisher=Times Books|isbn=0805069666|url=https://archive.org/details/georgehwbush0000naft_v9m8/page/171}} Instead, during the September 11 attacks, Bush was taken to inside the White House and placed in an underground bunker, later being met by her husband, who had returned to Washington from Florida.{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/laura-bush-reveals-george-stopped-drinking/story?id=10552148|title=Laura Bush Reveals to Oprah How George W. Stopped Drinking|date=May 4, 2010|work=ABC News|first=Russell|last=Goldman|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=May 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507080024/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/laura-bush-reveals-george-stopped-drinking/story?id=10552148|url-status=live}}
Two weeks after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Bush inaugurated a music concert at the Kennedy Center, organized to raise funds for families of the victims. Though she received applause, she returned the compliment to members of the audience and added that although the event was tragic, Americans had deepened their appreciation "of life itself, how fragile it can be, what a gift it is and how much we need each other". Senator Ted Kennedy, who introduced Bush at the event, praised her and said he knew his late brother, President John F. Kennedy, would also be proud of her.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/25/us/a-nation-challenged-the-first-lady-mrs-bush-introduces-concert-for-families.html|title=A Nation Challenged: The First Lady; Mrs. Bush Introduces Concert For Families|first=Elisabeth|last=Bumiller|date=September 25, 2001|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=February 17, 2017|archive-date=July 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708103420/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/25/us/a-nation-challenged-the-first-lady-mrs-bush-introduces-concert-for-families.html|url-status=live}} Bush believes the September 11 attacks ignited the interest in the way Afghan women were treated.{{cite news |date=March 31, 2011 |title=Former First Lady Laura Bush Continues to Fight for Afghan Women's Rights |url=https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/former-first-lady-laura-bush-continues-to-fight-for-afghan-womens-rights |publisher=Fox News |access-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208153716/https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/former-first-lady-laura-bush-continues-to-fight-for-afghan-womens-rights |url-status=live }}
=Women's health and rights=
Another of her signature issues were those relating to the health and well-being of women. She established the Women's Health and Wellness Initiative and became involved with two major campaigns.
Bush first became involved with The Heart Truth awareness campaign in 2003.{{cite web |url=http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/ambassador/index.htm |title=The Heart Truth Ambassador |access-date=May 25, 2008 |publisher=National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute |archive-date=May 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509085726/http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/ambassador/index.htm |url-status=dead}} It is an organization established by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to raise awareness about heart disease in women, and how to prevent the condition.{{cite web|access-date=May 25, 2008 |url=http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/whatis/index.htm |title=What is The Heart Truth? |publisher=National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514223825/http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/whatis/index.htm |archive-date=May 14, 2008 |url-status=dead}} She serves in the honorary position of ambassador for the program leading the federal government's effort to give women a "wake up call" about the risk of heart disease. She commented on the disease: "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. When it comes to heart disease, education, prevention, and even a little red dress can save lives." She has undertaken a signature personal element of traveling around the country and talking to women at hospital and community events featuring the experiences of women who live, or had lived, with the condition. This outreach was credited with directly saving the life of at least one woman who went to the hospital after experiencing symptoms of a heart attack after hearing her message.
File:Laura Bush meets with women in UAE.jpg, October 22, 2007.The White House, Office of the First Lady, [https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/wi/93960.htm First Lady Laura Bush's Remarks on the U.S.-Middle East Partnership on Breast Cancer Awareness and Research], 22 Oct 2007, U.S. Department of State Archive.]]
With her predecessor, former first lady Nancy Reagan, Bush dedicated the First Ladies Red Dress Collection at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in May 2005. It is an exhibit containing red suits worn by former First Ladies Lady Bird Johnson, Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Laura Bush meant to raise awareness by highlighting America's first ladies.{{cite web|publisher=National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute |title=First Ladies Red Dress Collection |access-date=May 25, 2008 |url=http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/events/first_ladies.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514201231/http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/events/first_ladies.htm |archive-date=May 14, 2008 |url-status=dead}} She has participated in fashion shows displaying red dresses worn on celebrities as well.{{cite web|publisher=National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute |access-date=May 25, 2008 |url=http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/events/mbfw2008.htm |title=Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: The Red Dress Collection 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509094818/http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/events/mbfw2008.htm |archive-date=May 9, 2008 |url-status=dead}}
Bush's mother, Jenna Welch, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 78. She endured surgery and had no further signs of cancer. Laura Bush has become a breast cancer activist on her mother's behalf{{cite news|access-date=December 13, 2006 |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030312-8.html |title=Remarks by Mrs. Bush at Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation "Embrace the Race" Event |date=March 12, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514222524/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030312-8.html |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |url-status=live}} through her involvement in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She applauded the foundation's efforts in eliminating cancer and said, "A few short years ago, a diagnosis of breast cancer left little hope of recovery. But thanks to the work of the Komen Foundation ... more women and men are beating breast cancer and beating the odds." She used her position to gain international support for the foundation through the Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research of the Americas, an initiative that unites experts from the United States, Brazil, Costa Rica and Mexico.{{cite news|access-date=May 25, 2008 |date=March 14, 2008 |url=http://cms.komen.org/komen/NewsEvents/080314_MexicoCityLaunch |title=Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Mrs. Laura Bush Welcome Mexico to the Breast Cancer Awareness, Research Partnership |publisher=Susan G. Komen for the Cure |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011115302/http://cms.komen.org/komen/NewsEvents/080314_MexicoCityLaunch |archive-date=October 11, 2008 |url-status=dead}}
In November 2001, she became the first person other than a president to deliver the weekly presidential radio address. She used the opportunity to discuss the plight of women in Afghanistan leading up to the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, saying "The brutal oppression of women is a central goal of the terrorists."{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/11/20011117.html |author=Laura Bush |title=Radio Address by Mrs. Bush |access-date=December 13, 2006 |date=November 17, 2001 |publisher=Office of the First Lady |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514222608/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/11/20011117.html |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |url-status=live}} Her husband was originally to give the address but he felt that she should do it; she later recalled, "At that moment, it was not that I found my voice. Instead, it was as if my voice found me." Her words summarized one of the goals and moral rationales of the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and it became one of the more famous speeches of his administration.{{cite book |author-link=Valerie M. Hudson|last1=Hudson|first1=Valerie M.|last2=Leidl |first2=Patricia|title=The Hillary Doctrine: Sex and American Foreign Policy |publisher=Columbia University Press|location=New York |year=2015|isbn=978-0-231-16492-4|pages=36–38, 42, 242, 267}} In May 2002, she made a speech to the people of Afghanistan through Radio Liberty. In March 2005, she made the first of three trips to that country as First Lady.
=Campaigning=
File:Laura Bush-Bill Clinton.jpg in New York, September 20, 2006]]
Bush campaigned for Republicans around the country in 2002 for that year's midterm elections, attending and hosting fundraisers as well as giving speeches.
Opponents deemed this as the Bush administration "working against women's rights issues and using women to do their dirty work" and partly a test for Bush on how well she could campaign for her husband in the impending two years when he sought re-election.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.newsweek.com/west-wing-story-laura-bush-and-gender-card-146157|title=West Wing Story: Laura Bush and the Gender Card|first=Martha|last=Brant|magazine=Newsweek|date=October 30, 2002|access-date=December 21, 2015|archive-date=December 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222173419/http://www.newsweek.com/west-wing-story-laura-bush-and-gender-card-146157|url-status=live}}
During the 2004 election cycle, Bush made joint appearances with her husband on the campaign trail,{{Cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/08/20040814-2.html|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|title=President and Mrs. Bush's Remarks at Sioux City, Iowa Rally|access-date=November 15, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115143545/https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/08/20040814-2.html|url-status=live}} including in battleground states such as Florida.{{Cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/08/20040827-15.html|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|title=Remarks by the President and the First Lady at Miami, Florida Rally|access-date=November 15, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115143404/https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/08/20040827-15.html|url-status=live}} She advocated for his re-election in a speech at the 2004 Republican National Convention,{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/31/gop.laurabush/index.html|title=Laura Bush urges nation to trust president|date=September 1, 2004|publisher=CNN|access-date=November 15, 2017|archive-date=November 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110060147/http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/31/gop.laurabush/index.html|url-status=live}} and was credited with having raised $15 million for her husband's campaign as well as the Republican Party while still succeeding in keeping a separate schedule that allowed for her to tend to the traditional duties she had as First Lady.{{cite news|url=http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1615918/posts|title=Laura Bush Hits the Campaign Trail|date=April 16, 2006|first=Anssie|last=Dasher|publisher=Free Republic|access-date=December 21, 2015|archive-date=December 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222172049/http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1615918/posts|url-status=live}} In a July 2004 interview, Teresa Heinz, wife of Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, said, "Well, you know, I don't know Laura Bush. But she seems to be calm, and she has a sparkle in her eye, which is good. But I don't know that she's ever had a real job—I mean, since she's been grown up."{{cite news|title=The real running mates|work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/2004-10-19-teresa_x.htm|date=October 20, 2004|access-date=July 29, 2006|archive-date=June 26, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060626050832/http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/2004-10-19-teresa_x.htm|url-status=live}} Heinz later apologized for the remark, stating that she had forgotten that Laura Bush was a teacher and librarian prior to her marriage.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/10/20/theresa.apologizes.laura |title=Heinz Kerry apologizes for remark |publisher=CNN |date=October 21, 2004 |access-date=July 29, 2006 |archive-date=March 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070325154618/http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/10/20/theresa.apologizes.laura/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49754-2004Oct20.html|title=A 'Real Job'? It Works for Laura Bush|first=Hanna|last=Rosin|newspaper=Washington Post|date=October 20, 2004|access-date=January 28, 2018|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115143936/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49754-2004Oct20.html|url-status=live}} Bush stated that she forgave her while insisting her apology was unnecessary, citing her understanding of the "trick questions" asked by the media.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/laura-bush-its-ok-teresa/|title=Laura Bush: It's OK, Teresa|first=Joel|last=Roberts|work=CBS News|access-date=November 15, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115201447/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/laura-bush-its-ok-teresa/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/10/21/laura.teresa/ |title=Laura Bush brushes aside Heinz Kerry's remarks |publisher=CNN |date=October 21, 2004 |access-date=November 15, 2017 |archive-date=May 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529000831/http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/10/21/laura.teresa/ |url-status=live }}
Bush was a participant in the 2006 midterm elections,{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/31/AR2006103101415_2.html|title=Campaigner in Chief Has Limited Reach|date=November 1, 2006|newspaper=Washington Post|first=Dan|last=Balz|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-date=March 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329104116/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/31/AR2006103101415_2.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103000530.html|title=Bush Says 'America Loses' Under Democrats|first=Michael|last=Abramowitz|newspaper=Washington Post|date=October 31, 2006|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-date=July 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714235809/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103000530.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14588025|title=Taxpayers pay for Bush's campaign travel|work=NBC News|date=August 30, 2006|access-date=February 6, 2016|archive-date=February 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206143753/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/14588025/ns/politics/t/taxpayers-pay-bushs-campaign-travel/|url-status=live}} beginning her campaigning in April. Though her poll numbers had decreased from an 80% approval rating, they still superseded that of President Bush, whose approval rating was only praised by a third of Americans. Ed Henry of CNN noted Bush's popularity, writing, "The first lady is treated like a rock star on the campaign trail – with local Republicans lining up for photographs and autographs – as she criss-crosses the country to help candidates."{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/26/laura.bush/index.html|title=Laura Bush: My husband never misled about Iraq|date=October 26, 2006|publisher=CNN|first=Ed|last=Henry|access-date=February 6, 2016|archive-date=February 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204005543/http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/26/laura.bush/index.html|url-status=live}} Bush relied on a strategy of praising the Republican candidate for their achievements and attending events alongside them.{{cite news|url=http://articles.philly.com/2006-10-05/news/25416951_1_weldon-campaign-joe-sestak-republican-stronghold|title=Laura Bush bolsters Weldon campaign The first lady stumped for the congressman whose seat in a GOP stronghold is vulnerable.|publisher=Philly.com|first=Todd|last=Mason|date=October 5, 2006|access-date=February 6, 2016|archive-date=February 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206133808/http://articles.philly.com/2006-10-05/news/25416951_1_weldon-campaign-joe-sestak-republican-stronghold|url-status=dead}} In September 2008, Bush spoke during the first night of the 2008 Republican National Convention,{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/president-laura-bush-lieberman-behind-mccain-palin-article-1.319890|title=President, Laura Bush, Lieberman all get behind McCain & Palin|date=September 3, 2008|newspaper=New York Daily News|access-date=March 2, 2016|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305174917/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/president-laura-bush-lieberman-behind-mccain-palin-article-1.319890|url-status=live}} her joint appearance with Cindy McCain geared toward raising hurricane relief funds for victims of Hurricane Gustav.{{cite magazine|url=http://people.com/politics/laura-bush-and-cindy-mccain-raise-money-for-gustav-victims/|title=Laura Bush and Cindy McCain Raise Money for Gustav Victims|first=Sandra Sobieraj|last=Westfall|magazine=People|date=September 2, 2008|access-date=November 8, 2017|archive-date=November 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109081120/http://people.com/politics/laura-bush-and-cindy-mccain-raise-money-for-gustav-victims/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/13671-laura-bush-cindy-mccain-focus-on-gustav/|title=Laura Bush, Cindy McCain focus on Gustav|date=September 1, 2008|newspaper=The Hill|access-date=November 8, 2017|archive-date=November 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109023708/http://thehill.com/homenews/news/16112-laura-bush-cindy-mccain-focus-on-gustav|url-status=live}}
=Popularity and style=
Image:President George W. Bush takes the Oath of Office.jpg William Rehnquist, as Laura Bush and daughters Barbara and Jenna look on.]]
Laura Bush's approval ratings have consistently ranked very high.{{cite news|title=First Lady Raising Her Profile Without Changing Her Image |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/15/washington/15bush.html |date=October 15, 2007 |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 27, 2008 |last=Stolberg |first=Sheryl Gay |url-status=live |archive-date=March 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314195706/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/15/washington/15bush.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin}} In January 2006, a USA Today/CBS/Gallup poll recorded her approval rating at 82 percent and disapproval at 13 percent.{{cite news|last=Jones |first=Jeffery M |url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/21370/Laura-Bush-Approval-Ratings-Among-Best-First-Ladies.aspx |publisher=Gallup Organization |access-date=May 27, 2008 |title=Laura Bush Approval Ratings Among Best for First Ladies |date=February 9, 2006 |archive-date=July 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705045735/http://www.gallup.com/poll/21370/Laura-Bush-Approval-Ratings-Among-Best-First-Ladies.aspx |url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aqK_ZndZKGFs&refer=us |date=October 19, 2006 |access-date=May 27, 2008 |last=Keil |first=Richard |title=Laura Bush, Unlike George, a Hit on Republican Campaign Trail |publisher=Bloomberg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104104713/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aqK_ZndZKGFs&refer=us |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Laura Bush travels without 'all the political baggage'|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-21-laura-bush_x.htm|date=May 21, 2006|work=USA Today|access-date=May 27, 2008|last=Benedetto|first=Richard|author-link=Richard Benedetto|archive-date=June 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622033125/http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-21-laura-bush_x.htm|url-status=live}} That places Bush as one of the most popular first ladies. Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said, "She is more popular, and more welcome, in many parts of the country than the president ... In races where the moderates are in the most trouble, Laura Bush is the one who can do the most good."
Jude Ellison Sady Doyle reasoned that Bush was hard to dislike due to her adopting "the least partisan causes" such as literacy and breast cancer, which would attract the support of most Americans and her coming off as a "mild, polite, ordinary woman who might go to church with your mother, or organize suburban potlucks". Doyle furthered that her statements were never enough to offend others and the harshest criticism that could be bestowed upon her was that she was boring.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2010/05/the-secret-inner-life-of-laura-bush/56644/|title=The Secret Inner Life of Laura Bush|date=May 13, 2010|first=Sady|last=Doyle|magazine=The Atlantic|access-date=March 8, 2017|archive-date=December 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205052953/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2010/05/the-secret-inner-life-of-laura-bush/56644/|url-status=live}}
She disagreed with Fox News' Chris Wallace in 2006 when Wallace asked why the American people were beginning to lose confidence in President Bush, saying, "Well, I don't think they are. And I don't really believe those polls. I travel around the country, I see people, I see their response to my husband, I see their response to me. There are a lot of difficult challenges right now in the United States ... All of those decisions that the President has to make surrounding each one of these very difficult challenges are hard. They're hard decisions to make. And of course some people are unhappy about what some of those decisions are. But I think people know that he is doing what he thinks is right for the United States, that he's doing what he – especially in the war on terror, what he thinks he is obligated to do for the people in the United States, and that is to protect them ... When his polls were really high they weren't on the front page."{{cite news|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/05/20060512-11.html |title=Interview of Mrs. Laura Bush by Fox News |access-date=May 28, 2008 |date=May 12, 2006 |archive-date=September 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912074853/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/05/20060512-11.html |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |url-status=live}}
During the January 2005 second inauguration ceremonies for her husband, Laura Bush was looked highly upon by People magazine, The Washington Post, and others for her elegance and fashion sense.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/laura-bush-belle-of-the-balls/ |title=Laura Bush: Belle Of The Balls |access-date=December 13, 2006 |date=January 21, 2005 |publisher=CBS |archive-date=December 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206033702/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/21/earlyshow/living/beauty/main668371.shtml |url-status=live}} At the inauguration she wore a winter white cashmere dress and matching coat designed by Oscar de la Renta. Following the inauguration were the inaugural galas, to which Bush wore a pale, aqua lace gown, sprinkled with crystals, with long sleeves in a silver blue mist.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24999-2005Jan20.html|title=Laura Bush, Stepping Out|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=May 27, 2008|last=Givhan|first=Robin|date=January 21, 2005|archive-date=November 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111195454/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24999-2005Jan20.html|url-status=live}} The tulle gown was also designed for her by de la Renta. According to The Washington Post, "[I]t made her look radiant and glamorous."
=Foreign trips=
Image:Laura Bush talks with African boy.jpg
Image:George W. Bush John Paul II funeral.jpg ]]
During her husband's second term, Bush was more involved in foreign matters. She traveled to numerous countries as a representative of the United States.
As First Lady, she took five goodwill trips to Africa.{{cite news|title=President and Mrs. Bush Discuss Africa Policy, Trip to Africa |date=February 14, 2008 |access-date=May 28, 2008 |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/02/20080214.html |archive-date=May 10, 2011 |url-status=live |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510154220/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/02/20080214.html}} The purpose of these has mostly been to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and malaria as part of the Bush administration's initiative to address the global epidemics, but Bush has also stressed the need for education and greater opportunities for women.{{cite web |url=http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2007/June/20070622165008mlenuhret0.4878351.html |title=HIV/AIDS, Malaria Focus of Laura Bush's Africa Trip |date=June 22, 2007 |access-date=May 28, 2008 |publisher=America.gov |archive-date=June 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601094302/http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2007/June/20070622165008mlenuhret0.4878351.html |url-status=dead}} She has taken many other trips to other countries to promote and gain support for President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS relief;{{cite news|title=First Lady Laura Bush Tours Haiti To Highlight U.S. HIV/AIDS Programs|access-date=May 28, 2008|url=http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/100788.php |work=Medical News Today|date=March 14, 2008|archive-date=June 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613115958/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/100788.php|url-status=dead}} these countries include Zambia (2007),{{cite web|access-date=May 28, 2008 |url=https://photos.state.gov/galleries/usinfo-photo/39/First_Lady_Africa_07/7.html |title=African Health, Education Emphasis of Laura Bush Trip |publisher=America.gov |archive-date=December 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206004819/http://photos.state.gov/galleries/usinfo-photo/39/First_Lady_Africa_07/7.html |url-status=dead}} Mozambique (2007),{{cite news|work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-06-26-laura-bush-africa_N.htm|title=Laura Bush presses AIDS fight in Africa|access-date=May 28, 2008|agency=Associated Press|date=July 2007|archive-date=December 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206005047/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-06-26-laura-bush-africa_N.htm|url-status=live}} Mali (2007),{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11643606 |title=Ahead of First Lady's Visit, A School's Facelift |access-date=May 28, 2008 |date=July 1, 2007 |publisher=NPR |author=Goss, Addie |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229105402/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11643606 |archive-date=February 29, 2008 |url-status=live}} Senegal (2007),{{cite web |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200706230037.html |access-date=May 28, 2008 |title=Africa: HIV/Aids, Malaria Focus of Laura Bush's Africa Trip |date=June 22, 2007 |author=Terhune, Lea |publisher=United States Department of State |website=AllAfrica.com |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071127030039/http://allafrica.com/stories/200706230037.html |archive-date=November 27, 2007 |url-status=live}} and Haiti (2008).
In mid-2007, she took a trip to Myanmar where she spoke out in support of the pro-democracy movement, and urged Burmese soldiers and militias to refrain from violence. Later that October, she ventured to the Middle East. Bush said she was in the region in an attempt to improve America's image by highlighting concern for women's health, specifically promoting her breast cancer awareness work with the US-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research.{{cite news |access-date=May 28, 2008 |date=October 28, 2007 |last=Wolfson |first=Paula |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2007-10-28-voa11/405638.html |title=Laura Bush Defines Her Policy Role |publisher=VOA News |archive-date=January 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103124331/http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/a-13-2007-10-28-voa11.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=May 16, 2008 |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/05/20080516-19.html |title=Mrs. Bush's Remarks on the U.S.-Saudi Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research |place=King Fahd Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514222419/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/05/20080516-19.html |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |url-status=live}} She defined the trip as successful, saying that stereotypes were broken on both sides.
Overall, Bush traveled to 77 countries in the eight years of her husband's presidency, touring 67 of those during the second term.{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2009/05/laura-bush-fills-in-the-blanks-022897|title=Laura Bush fills in the blanks |first=Nia-Malika|last=Henderson|date=May 23, 2009|work=Politico}}
=Views on policy=
Bush is a Republican and has identified herself with the GOP since her marriage.{{cite book |last1=Watson|first1=Robert P.|title=Laura Bush: The Report to the First Lady 2005|date=2005|publisher=Nova Science Publisher |isbn=1594542902|page=166}}
When asked about abortion in 2000, Bush said she did not believe Roe v. Wade should be overturned. She did not comment on whether women had the right to an abortion.{{cite news|access-date=May 28, 2008 |date=January 19, 2001 |url=http://archives.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/stories/01/19/laurabush.abortion.02/ |title=Laura Bush's abortion comments 'personal views', Fleischer says |publisher=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523020028/http://archives.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/stories/01/19/laurabush.abortion.02/ |archive-date=May 23, 2008 |url-status=dead}} She did say, however, that the country should do "what we can to limit the number of abortions, to try to reduce the number of abortions in a lot of ways, and that is, by talking about responsibility with girls and boys, by teaching abstinence, having abstinence classes everywhere in schools and in churches and in Sunday school".
Bush responded to a question during a 2006 interview concerning the Federal Marriage Amendment by calling for elected leaders not to politicize same-sex marriage, "I don't think it should be used as a campaign tool, obviously. It requires a lot of sensitivity to just talk about the issue ... a lot of sensitivity."{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/05/14/politics/p131514D67.DTL&feed=rss.news |title=Mrs. Bush: Don't Campaign on Marriage Ban |last=Pickler |first=Nedra |access-date=December 13, 2006 |date=May 14, 2006 |agency=Associated Press |work=The San Francisco Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810084948/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fn%2Fa%2F2006%2F05%2F14%2Fpolitics%2Fp131514D67.DTL&feed=rss.news |archive-date=August 10, 2007 |url-status=dead}}
On July 12, 2005, while in South Africa, Bush suggested her husband replace retiring Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O'Connor with another woman. On October 2, during a private dinner at the White House with his wife, President Bush nominated Harriet Miers to replace O'Connor.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/03/AR2005100300252.html|title=White House Counsel Miers Chosen for Court|author=Fletcher, Michael|access-date=December 13, 2006|date=October 4, 2005|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=October 10, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051010230817/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/03/AR2005100300252.html|url-status=live}} Later that month, after Miers had faced intense criticism, Laura Bush questioned whether the charges were sexist in nature.{{cite news|last=VandeHei|first=Jim|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/11/AR2005101100456.html|title=Laura Bush Echoes Sexism Charge in Miers Debate|access-date=December 13, 2006|date=October 12, 2005|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=February 15, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060215080847/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/11/AR2005101100456.html|url-status=live}}
=Legacy=
File:Elizabeth II and Laura Bush.jpg in 2007|225x225px]]
In late October 2008, days before that year's presidential election, Bush hosted a three-hour session with staffers and historians discussing how she would like to be remembered, leading to this meeting being termed the "legacy lunch".{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/laura-bush-fills-in-the-blanks/|title=Laura Bush Fills In The Blanks|date=May 23, 2009|work=CBS News|access-date=December 7, 2015|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305121947/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/laura-bush-fills-in-the-blanks/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://parkcitiesblog.dallasnews.com/2009/05/laura-bush-shaping-her-own-leg.html/|title=Laura Bush: Shaping Her Own Legacy|newspaper=Dallas Morning News|date=May 24, 2009|access-date=December 7, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071309/http://parkcitiesblog.dallasnews.com/2009/05/laura-bush-shaping-her-own-leg.html/|url-status=dead}} According to historian Myra Gutin, this was the first time in history that a First Lady had ever directly reached out to historians to talk about her accomplishments. Attendants of the meeting said that Bush wanted to change the perception that she was a traditional First Lady in that she always stayed by her husband's side.{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2009/05/laura-bush-fills-in-the-blanks-022897|title=Laura Bush fills in the blanks|work=Politico|date=May 23, 2009|first=Nia-Malika|last=Henderson|access-date=November 9, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304230655/http://www.politico.com/story/2009/05/laura-bush-fills-in-the-blanks-022897|url-status=live}} At a 2014 National Press Club, Anita McBride opined that it would be harder for people to understand where Bush had "the greatest impact" due to the several signature issues that Bush advocated for while First Lady.{{cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2014/02/12/laura-bushs-legacy-harder-to-define-than-michelle-obamas|title=Legacy: Why Michelle Has a Leg Up on Laura|date=February 12, 2014|publisher=U.S. News|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803012018/https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2014/02/12/laura-bushs-legacy-harder-to-define-than-michelle-obamas|url-status=live}}
In 2017, journalist Brooke Baldwin suggested Bush's efforts toward improving the lives of Afghan women may have contributed to more Afghanistan women being in positions within the Afghanistan private sector.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/13/politics/brooke-baldwin-laura-bush-rula-ghani-afghanistan-women/index.html|first=Brooke|last=Baldwin|title=Laura Bush and Rula Ghani on 'opening the door' for women in Afghanistan|date=November 13, 2017|publisher=CNN|access-date=May 12, 2018|archive-date=May 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513011423/https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/13/politics/brooke-baldwin-laura-bush-rula-ghani-afghanistan-women/index.html|url-status=live}}
Bush enjoyed widespread approval by the American public both as the incumbent First Lady and during her retirement.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/29/bush.popularity/|title=Poll: First lady embraced, president not|date=December 30, 2005|publisher=CNN|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=August 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817215452/https://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/29/bush.popularity/|url-status=live}} The Washington Post contributor Krissah Thompson recalled Bush's favorability being "as close to universal popularity as any modern political figure" when the Bushes left the White House in 2009 and called her "the most high-profile promoter of the George W. Bush legacy — a burden she carries lightly and with a smile."{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/laura-bushs-latest-role-booster-of-her-husbands-legacy/2014/09/09/f212f754-2fa3-11e4-bb9b-997ae96fad33_story.html|title=Laura Bush's latest role: Booster of her husband's legacy|date=September 9, 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=January 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101065114/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/laura-bushs-latest-role-booster-of-her-husbands-legacy/2014/09/09/f212f754-2fa3-11e4-bb9b-997ae96fad33_story.html|url-status=live}} A 2014 poll which asked who was the most popular First Lady in the past 25 years found Bush ranked in fourth place (out of 4 candidates), behind Hillary Clinton, mother-in-law Barbara and direct successor Michelle Obama.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/05/09/first-ladies-poll-admired/8888099/|title=Who is the most admired first lady?|date=May 9, 2014|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-date=August 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807161050/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/05/09/first-ladies-poll-admired/8888099/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/may/9/most-admired-first-ladies-barbara-bush-tied-hillar/|date=May 9, 2014|newspaper=Washington Times|title=It's official: Hillary Clinton was the best first lady|access-date=February 29, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070327/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/may/9/most-admired-first-ladies-barbara-bush-tied-hillar/|url-status=live}}
Subsequent activities
File:Obamas escort Bushes to helicopter.jpg and First Lady Michelle Obama on January 20, 2009]]
In February 2009, the month after she and her husband left office, Laura and George W. Bush moved into a new residence in Dallas.{{cite news|url=http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/02/expresident_bush_laura_bush_mo.html|title=Ex-President Bush, Laura Bush move to Dallas home|first=Bob|last=Sims|publisher=AL.com|date=February 20, 2009|access-date=November 9, 2015|archive-date=December 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220050230/http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/02/expresident_bush_laura_bush_mo.html|url-status=live}} In November 2009, the former first lady, accompanied by her husband, made a visit to families of veterans in Fort Hood. The couple expressed their wishes that the trip not be publicized.{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/11/george-w-bush-laura-bush-fort-hood-nidal-malik-hasan.html|title=George W. Bush makes secret visit to mourning families at Fort Hood; Laura Bush goes too|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=November 7, 2009|access-date=November 9, 2015|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307150940/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/11/george-w-bush-laura-bush-fort-hood-nidal-malik-hasan.html|url-status=live}} However, Fox News revealed the trip the following morning.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/george-w-bush-secretly-visits-fort-hood-victims/|title=George W. Bush Secretly Visits Fort Hood Victims|first=Bill|last=Sammon|date=November 7, 2009|publisher=Fox News|access-date=November 9, 2015|archive-date=November 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091111201141/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/07/george-w-bush-secretly-visits-fort-hood-victims/|url-status=live}}
In May 2010, Bush released her memoir, Spoken from the Heart, in conjunction with a national tour.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/29/books/29book.html?pagewanted=all |title=Laura Bush, a Lonely Texas Girl Far From Home |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 28, 2010 |first=Michiko |last=Kakutani |access-date=November 14, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=November 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118015555/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/29/books/29book.html?pagewanted=all}}
On May 11, 2010, during an interview on Larry King Live, Bush was asked about same-sex marriage. She said she viewed it as a generational issue and believed it would be made legal in the future. Bush offered support for the issue by saying "when couples are committed to each other and love each other ... they ought to have the same sort of rights that everyone has." Bush referred to her 2000 interview, reaffirming her support for Roe v. Wade, "I think it's important that [abortion] remain legal. Because I think it's important for people – that for medical reasons and, and other reasons."{{YouTube|HtNabdDx_mU|Laura Bush For Gay Marriage & Pro-Choice!}}{{cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/09/27/george-w-bush-silent-on-same-sex-marriage-after-dad-helps-legalize-one|first=Steven|last=Nelson|title=George W. Bush Silent on Same-Sex Marriage After Dad Helps Legalize One|date=September 27, 2013|publisher=U.S.News|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806101546/https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/09/27/george-w-bush-silent-on-same-sex-marriage-after-dad-helps-legalize-one|url-status=live}}
On February 22, 2013, without her consent, she was included in a pro-gay advertisement from the Respect of Marriage Coalition. A statement from Bush's spokesperson states that Bush "did not approve of her inclusion in this advertisement nor is she associated with the group that made the ad in any way. When she became aware of the advertisement last night, we requested that the group remove her from it."{{cite news|last=Abad-Santos |first=Alexander |title=Gay Marriage Supporter Laura Bush Wants Out of This Pro-Gay Marriage Ad |url=https://news.yahoo.com/gay-marriage-supporter-laura-bush-wants-pro-gay-153646950.html |access-date=February 22, 2013 |publisher=Yahoo! News |work=The Atlantic Wire |date=February 21, 2013 |archive-date=February 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224230017/http://news.yahoo.com/gay-marriage-supporter-laura-bush-wants-pro-gay-153646950.html |url-status=dead}}
Bush continued to remain involved and concerned over the state of women in Afghanistan, speaking out editorials and appearances during 2013 that the women and girls who had been helped could not be abandoned during and after the planned withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. In March 2016, Bush wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post on changes occurring among women in Afghanistan while noting continued violence and calling for American involvement in Afghanistan to be consistent and predictable in continuing along with the international community "to provide significant development assistance in the areas of health care, entrepreneurship and education".{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/how-afghanistans-women-are-helping-the-country-move-forward/2016/03/07/48f17ef2-e3ac-11e5-a6f3-21ccdbc5f74e_story.html?noredirect=on|title=How Afghanistan's women are helping the country move forward|first=Laura|last=Bush|newspaper=Washington Post|date=March 7, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2018|archive-date=September 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917034217/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/how-afghanistans-women-are-helping-the-country-move-forward/2016/03/07/48f17ef2-e3ac-11e5-a6f3-21ccdbc5f74e_story.html?noredirect=on|url-status=live}} In June 2016, Bush stated that she hoped the US remained in Afghanistan and had consulted with women there who feared the departure of American troops would create "a vacuum" similar to Iraq, furthering that the US "would have to start all over again" if they withdrew troops.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/06/laura-bushs-case-for-remaining-in-afghanistan/489095/|title=Laura Bush's Case for Remaining in Afghanistan|first=Yoni|last=Appelbaum|magazine=The Atlantic|date=June 28, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2018|archive-date=May 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513011515/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/06/laura-bushs-case-for-remaining-in-afghanistan/489095/|url-status=live}} In late 2017, Bush and First Lady of Afghanistan Rula Ghani traveled to Washington to rally lawmaker support for Afghanistan and women there.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/13/politics/brooke-baldwin-laura-bush-rula-ghani-afghanistan-women/index.html|title=Laura Bush and Rula Ghani on 'opening the door' for women in Afghanistan|first=Brooke|last=Baldwin|publisher=CNN|date=November 13, 2017|access-date=May 12, 2018|archive-date=May 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513011423/https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/13/politics/brooke-baldwin-laura-bush-rula-ghani-afghanistan-women/index.html|url-status=live}}
In April 2015, Bush criticized Rand Paul's isolationist stance on U.S. foreign aid, calling the view "not really realistic" and asserting the United States should save lives whenever it can.{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/laura-bush-shocked-initial-barbara-bush-hesitancy-support/story?id=30259996|title=Laura Bush 'Shocked' at Initial Barbara Bush Hesitancy to Support Jeb Bush's White House Bid|first=Ben|last=Bell|date=April 12, 2015|work=ABC News|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803024536/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/laura-bush-shocked-initial-barbara-bush-hesitancy-support/story?id=30259996|url-status=live}} That August, she shared the first public photos of her newborn granddaughter Poppy Louise.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/laura-bush-shares-family-pic-granddaughter-poppy-article-1.2327035|title=Laura Bush shares first family photo with her newborn granddaughter Poppy|date=August 15, 2015|first=Kirthana|last=Ramisetti|access-date=October 25, 2015|archive-date=October 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023150723/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/laura-bush-shares-family-pic-granddaughter-poppy-article-1.2327035|url-status=live}}
=Public appearances=
On October 26, 2009, Bush spoke at the 25th Annual Women's Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.{{cite news|url=http://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/news/ci_13646767|title=Laura Bush wows Utah women|first=Cathy|last=Mckitrick|date=October 26, 2009|publisher=sltrib.com|access-date=May 9, 2017|archive-date=September 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915023023/http://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/news/ci_13646767|url-status=live}}
On May 31, 2012, Bush and her husband unveiled their official portraits painted by John Howard Sanden in a ceremony at the White House attended by several members of their family and former members of the Bush administration. Bush jokingly told then First Lady Michelle Obama at the ceremony that "nothing makes a house a home like having portraits of its former occupants staring down at you from the walls".{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/us/politics/obama-hosts-george-w-bush-for-portraits-unveiling.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220103/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/us/politics/obama-hosts-george-w-bush-for-portraits-unveiling.html |archive-date=2022-01-03 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Political Truce for a Portrait Unveiling|date=31 May 2012|author=Mark Landler|work=The New York Times|access-date=26 March 2019}}{{cbignore}} Bush was portrayed in the White House's Green Room in her portrait, wearing a midnight blue gown.{{cite web|title=Background Information on the Presentation of Portraits of President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Welch Bush|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/31/background-information-presentation-portraits-president-george-w-bush-an|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|date=May 31, 2012|access-date=26 March 2019|archive-date=March 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326172144/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/31/background-information-presentation-portraits-president-george-w-bush-an|url-status=live}}
On July 25, 2012, she spoke at the Luisa Hunnewell's estate, where she praised Edith Wharton's works, in particular Ethan Frome on her 150th anniversary.{{cite news|author=Jaclyn Reiss |url=http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/wellesley/2012/07/former_first_lady_laura_bush_v.html |title=Former first lady Laura Bush visits Wellesley to celebrate Edith Wharton's 150th birthday |website=Boston.com |date=July 25, 2012 |access-date=June 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728011019/http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/wellesley/2012/07/former_first_lady_laura_bush_v.html |archive-date=July 28, 2012 |url-status=live}} She also said that prior to this speech she also visited houses of Mark Twain{{cite news|date=July 24, 2007 |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070724-7.html |title=Mrs. Bush's Remarks to the Press Pool After Tour of Mark Twain House and Museum |place=Hartford, Connecticut |access-date=June 14, 2014 |archive-date=November 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101141234/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070724-7.html |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |url-status=live}} at his 166th anniversary on November 29, 2001, and was a guest of the show Mark Twain Tonight.{{cite news|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/11/20011129-21.html |title=Mrs. Bush's Remarks at the Opening of the Mark Twain Symposium |date=November 29, 2001 |access-date=June 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714115557/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/11/20011129-21.html |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |url-status=live}} Ten years prior to the Luisa Hunnewell's estate visit she also visited Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House in Concord, Massachusetts at which she met with the National Trust for Historic Preservation's President and listened to Concord-Carlisle High School's chorus.{{cite news|access-date=June 14, 2014 |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/06/20020620-23.html |title=Mrs. Bush's Remarks at Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House |date=June 20, 2002 |archive-date=November 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101122921/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/06/20020620-23.html |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |url-status=live}}
In April 2013, Bush was in attendance at a news conference, where she said the recently built George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum was not a monument for her husband but instead a representation of the White House and the struggles of America during his tenure. She also mentioned not having trouble donating clothes to the library, admitting that she probably would have never worn them again in the first place.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/24/laura-bush-george-presidential-library/2109437/|title=Laura Bush: New library not 'a monument' to her husband|first=Judy|last=Keen|newspaper=USA Today|date=April 24, 2013|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-date=December 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223182832/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/24/laura-bush-george-presidential-library/2109437/|url-status=live}} That month it was announced that she would serve as a keynote speaker for the 2013 Global Business Travel Association Convention in August.{{cite news|url=http://www.successfulmeetings.com//News/Products-and-Services/GBTA-Announces-Laura-Bush-as-2013-Keynote-Speaker/|title=GBTA Announces Laura Bush as 2013 Keynote Speaker|publisher=successfulmeetings.com|first=Matt|last=Alderton|date=April 26, 2013|access-date=December 8, 2015|archive-date=September 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917034432/http://www.successfulmeetings.com//News/Products-and-Services/GBTA-Announces-Laura-Bush-as-2013-Keynote-Speaker/|url-status=dead}} At the convention, she stressed the importance of child literacy, continuing her advocating of an issue that she had become associated with since her tenure as First Lady.{{cite news|url=http://www.gbta.org/PressReleases/Pages/rls080713.aspx|title=Mrs. Laura Bush, Former First Lady of the United States Spoke at 2013 GBTA Convention|date=August 7, 2013|publisher=gbta.org|access-date=December 8, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304210641/http://www.gbta.org/PressReleases/Pages/rls080713.aspx|url-status=dead}} In early August 2013, she reported that her husband was in stable condition after having a stent implanted in his heart, calling it "terrific" that it was caught in time, and stressed the importance of regular check ups with doctors.{{cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/park-cities/headlines/20130807-george-w.-bush-doing-great-after-heart-procedure-laura-bush-says.ece|title=George W. Bush 'doing great' after heart procedure, Laura Bush says|first=Tom|last=Benning|date=August 7, 2013|newspaper=Dallas Morning News|access-date=December 7, 2015|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208214933/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/park-cities/headlines/20130807-george-w.-bush-doing-great-after-heart-procedure-laura-bush-says.ece|url-status=live}} In September, she appeared at a fundraiser for the organization Solutions for Change.{{cite news|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2013/sep/21/laura-bush-solutions-for-change/|title=Laura Bush champions local nonprofit|first=Roxana|last=Popescu|publisher=The San Diego-Union Tribune|date=September 21, 2013|access-date=December 8, 2015|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208131727/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2013/sep/21/laura-bush-solutions-for-change/|url-status=live}}
On April 26, 2014, she gave a speech at the Ericsson Center in Plano, Texas, where she spoke on behalf of the company's mentoring program for girls.{{cite web|access-date=May 8, 2014|url=http://starlocalmedia.com/planocourier/business/ericsson-welcomes-laura-bush-to-plano-campus/article_c5fac89c-ccc8-11e3-97f3-0019bb2963f4.html|title=Ericsson welcomes Laura Bush to Plano campus|date=April 26, 2014|publisher=PlanoStar Courier|archive-date=July 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710143247/https://starlocalmedia.com/planocourier/business/ericsson-welcomes-laura-bush-to-plano-campus/article_c5fac89c-ccc8-11e3-97f3-0019bb2963f4.html|url-status=live}} Throughout the month, she made appearances at fundraisers for schools in Colorado.{{cite news|url=http://legacy.9news.com/story/news/local/2014/04/05/laura-bush-attending-colorado-schools-fundraiser/7344107/|title=Laura Bush attending Colorado schools fundraiser|date=April 5, 2014|publisher=legacy.9news.com}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On May 9, 2014, she was scheduled to speak at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing. She was to arrive there with her daughter Barbara Pierce Bush, her husband George W. Bush, and Soledad O'Brien, a journalist.{{cite news|title=Laura Bush, Whoopi Goldberg, Bill Russell coming to AARP convention in Boston |author=Shira Schoenberg |date=May 6, 2014 |url=http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/05/laura_bush_whoopi_goldberg_bil.html |access-date=May 7, 2014 |archive-date=May 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507234042/http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/05/laura_bush_whoopi_goldberg_bil.html |url-status=dead}}
In 2015, Bush had several speaking arrangements on issues relating to her husband's presidency.{{cite news|url=http://jacksonville.com/news/2015-11-10/story/laura-bush-talks-family-life-and-bobbleheads-jacksonville-speaker-series|title=Laura Bush talks family, life and bobbleheads in Jacksonville Speaker Series|first=Rhema|last=Thompson|date=November 10, 2015|publisher=jacksonville.com|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=December 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210210654/http://jacksonville.com/news/2015-11-10/story/laura-bush-talks-family-life-and-bobbleheads-jacksonville-speaker-series|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://newsok.com/article/5442096|title=Former first lady Laura Bush to speak at 2015 Water4 gala|date=August 25, 2015|first=Brandy|last=McDonnell|publisher=NewsOK|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208235814/http://newsok.com/article/5442096|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/11/former_first_lady_and_recent_a.html|title=Former First Lady and recent Alabama visitor Laura Bush turns 69|publisher=al.com|first=Erin|last=Edgemon|date=November 4, 2015|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208231017/http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/11/former_first_lady_and_recent_a.html|url-status=live}} In July, the former first lady, accompanied by her husband, attended the centennial anniversary of Tioga Road In Yosemite National Park in July{{cite news|url=http://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/245375/laura-bush-helps-rededicate-tioga-road.html|title=Laura Bush Helps Rededicate Tioga Road|publisher=myMotherLode.com|first=B.J.|last=Hansen|access-date=October 25, 2015|archive-date=October 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010224334/http://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/245375/laura-bush-helps-rededicate-tioga-road.html|url-status=live}} and appeared in New Orleans in order to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.{{cite news|url=http://www.wdsu.com/news/local-news/new-orleans/former-president-george-w-bush-wife-laura-bush-visit-warren-easton-hs/34978474|title=Former President George W. Bush, wife Laura Bush visit Warren Easton H.S.|first=Andy|last=Cunningham|publisher=wdsu.com|access-date=November 28, 2015|archive-date=November 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127062737/http://www.wdsu.com/news/local-news/new-orleans/former-president-george-w-bush-wife-laura-bush-visit-warren-easton-hs/34978474|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bush-returns-to-new-orleans-touts-decade-of-reform-since-katrina/|title=Bush returns to New Orleans, touts "decade of reform" since Katrina|date=August 28, 2015|work=CBS News|access-date=November 28, 2015|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208134706/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bush-returns-to-new-orleans-touts-decade-of-reform-since-katrina/|url-status=live}} In October, she was a featured speaker for Wayland Baptist University.{{cite news|url=http://lubbockonline.com/education/2015-09-25/wayland-baptist-announces-availability-chapel-tickets-hear-laura-bush-wayland#.VmbhFzZhqqA|title=Wayland Baptist announces availability for chapel tickets to hear Laura Bush at Wayland|date=September 25, 2015|newspaper=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal|access-date=December 8, 2015|archive-date=December 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210200554/http://lubbockonline.com/education/2015-09-25/wayland-baptist-announces-availability-chapel-tickets-hear-laura-bush-wayland#.VmbhFzZhqqA|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.myplainview.com/news/article_74b31cd0-63a5-11e5-b337-6342c6172eec.html|title=Chapel tickets to hear Laura Bush are available to the public|publisher=myplainview.com|date=September 25, 2015|access-date=December 8, 2015|archive-date=October 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031235147/http://www.myplainview.com/news/article_74b31cd0-63a5-11e5-b337-6342c6172eec.html|url-status=dead}}
Bush was keynote speaker at the Go Red for Women Summit in Austin in February 2016, an event designed to promote both financing and awareness for women fighting heart disease.{{cite news|url=http://www.twcnews.com/tx/austin/news/2016/02/26/former-first-lady-laura-bush-speaks-at-austin-event.html|title=Former First Lady Laura Bush Speaks at Austin Event|publisher=twcnews.com|date=February 26, 2016|access-date=March 2, 2016|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307125732/http://www.twcnews.com/tx/austin/news/2016/02/26/former-first-lady-laura-bush-speaks-at-austin-event.html|url-status=live}} In March, Bush attended the funeral of Nancy Reagan in California.{{cite news|url=http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2016/03/10/nancy-reagan-funeral-heres-who-attending/81591220/|title=Nancy Reagan funeral: Here's who attended|date=March 11, 2016|publisher=desertsun.com|access-date=March 13, 2016|archive-date=March 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312021942/http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2016/03/10/nancy-reagan-funeral-heres-who-attending/81591220/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/former-first-lady-laura-bush-talks-with-dana-perino-about-new-book-we-are-afghan-women/|title=Former First Lady Laura Bush talks with Dana Perino about new book 'We Are Afghan Women'|first=Dana|last=Perino|publisher=Fox News|access-date=March 13, 2016|archive-date=March 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313121540/http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/03/10/former-first-lady-laura-bush-talks-with-dana-perino-about-new-book-are-afghan-women.html|url-status=live}} and attended the memorial service for victims in the Dallas police officers shooting four months later in July.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/george-w-bush-dancing-swinging-smiling-dallas-police-shooting-memorial-battle-song-a7134836.html|title=George W Bush mocked for dancing during memorial service song for Dallas shooting victims|first=Rachael|last=Revesz|publisher=Independent.co.uk|date=July 13, 2016|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-date=May 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531011516/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/george-w-bush-dancing-swinging-smiling-dallas-police-shooting-memorial-battle-song-a7134836.html|url-status=live}}
On February 4, 2017, Bush appeared at the annual Union Regional Foundation's Heart of a Woman brunch, saying women do not worry about their own health due to often taking care of someone else and that their improving in health would benefit those around them.{{cite news|url=http://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2017/02/04/laura-bush-awareness-key-womens-heart-health/97496886/|title=Laura Bush: Awareness key in women's heart health|date=February 4, 2017|work=Times Record News|first=Patrick|last=Johnston|access-date=April 3, 2017|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030125606/https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2017/02/04/laura-bush-awareness-key-womens-heart-health/97496886/|url-status=live}}
On March 8, Bush was keynote speaker at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center's annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner, Bush relating that she had learned about the Holocaust through her father.{{cite news |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/skokie/news/ct-skr-laura-bush-keynote-humanitarian-awards-event-tl-0316-20170309-story.html |title=Former first lady Laura Bush gives keynote at Holocaust Museum fundraiser |first=Mike |last=Isaacs |date=March 9, 2017 |access-date=April 4, 2017 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |archive-date=April 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404043735/http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/skokie/news/ct-skr-laura-bush-keynote-humanitarian-awards-event-tl-0316-20170309-story.html |url-status=live }} In April, Bush was the keynote speaker of the 25th annual Art of Hope Gala at the Dallas Museum of Art.{{cite news|url=http://healthcare.dmagazine.com/2017/04/06/art-of-hope-gala/|title=Laura Bush Helps Frisco Breast Cancer Foundation Mark Its 25th Year|date=April 6, 2017|publisher=Healthcare.dmagazine.com|access-date=May 9, 2017|archive-date=April 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406195437/http://healthcare.dmagazine.com/2017/04/06/art-of-hope-gala/|url-status=live}} On May 17, Bush made her second visit to the Andrew Johnson Hermitage and gave the keynote address at the 117th Spring Outing celebration.{{cite news|url=http://www.lebanondemocrat.com/History/2017/05/18/Laura-Bush-speaks-at-the-Hermitage-s-117th-Spring-Outing.html?ci=stream&lp=11|title=Laura Bush speaks at the Hermitage's 117th Spring Outing|date=May 18, 2017|publisher=lebanondemocrat.com|access-date=June 23, 2017|archive-date=September 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915023031/http://www.lebanondemocrat.com/History/2017/05/18/Laura-Bush-speaks-at-the-Hermitage-s-117th-Spring-Outing.html?ci=stream&lp=11|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2017/05/17/nas-laura-bush/328569001/|title=Former first lady Laura Bush: Knowledge of history basis for 'engaged citizenship'|first=Jordan|last=Buie|newspaper=The Tennessean|date=May 17, 2017}} On May 31, Bush delivered a speech at the South-Central Monarch Symposium on the monarch butterfly decline in recent years.{{cite news|url=http://www.twcnews.com/tx/austin/news/2017/05/31/laura-bush-visits-austin-in-a-bid-for-butterflies.html|title=Former First Lady Doesn't Beat Around the Bush About Butterflies|first=Victoria|last=Maranan|publisher=twcnews.com|date=May 31, 2017|access-date=June 23, 2017|archive-date=September 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914221351/http://www.twcnews.com/tx/austin/news/2017/05/31/laura-bush-visits-austin-in-a-bid-for-butterflies.html|url-status=live}} On June 3, Bush served as the keynote speaker at the National Willa Cather Center dedication in Red Cloud, Nebraska and officially opened the center with a ribbon cut.{{cite news|url=http://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/laura-bush-lauds-willa-cather-s-timeless-tales-at-opening/article_3e63a8cc-91b1-543c-ac95-f21f2f287e0f.html|title=Laura Bush lauds Willa Cather's timeless tales at opening of center that honors Red Cloud's famous novelist|first=Matthew|last=Hansen|date=June 4, 2017|publisher=Omaha.com|access-date=June 23, 2017|archive-date=June 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612022303/http://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/laura-bush-lauds-willa-cather-s-timeless-tales-at-opening/article_3e63a8cc-91b1-543c-ac95-f21f2f287e0f.html|url-status=live}} The following month, Bush accepted an invitation to join the eminent international Council of Patrons of the Asian University for Women (AUW) in Chittagong, Bangladesh. The university, which is the product of east–west foundational partnerships (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Open Society Foundation, IKEA Foundation etc.) and regional cooperation, serves extraordinarily talented women from 15 countries across Asia and the Middle East, including Afghanistan and Myanmar.{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/city/laura-bush-made-patron-auw-1436581|title=Laura Bush made patron of AUW|date=July 21, 2017|publisher=thedailystar.net|access-date=July 27, 2017|archive-date=July 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722105119/http://www.thedailystar.net/city/laura-bush-made-patron-auw-1436581|url-status=live}} In September, Bush delivered the keynote address at the Gateway to Opportunity luncheon at the Omni Dallas Hotel.{{cite news|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/philanthropy/2017/08/22/laura-bush-speak-family-gateway-luncheon-october|title=Laura Bush to speak in Dallas at Family Gateway luncheon in September|date=August 22, 2017|newspaper=Dallas News|first=Holly|last=Haber|access-date=September 14, 2017|archive-date=September 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914215942/https://www.dallasnews.com/business/philanthropy/2017/08/22/laura-bush-speak-family-gateway-luncheon-october|url-status=live}}
In April 2020, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Bush and Michelle Obama made a joint appearance on the One World: Together At Home televised concert special by the Global Citizen Festival where they expressed appreciation for healthcare workers, first responders, pharmacists, veterinarians, sanitation workers as well as grocery store workers and those delivering food and supplies to homes.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/18/politics/michelle-obama-laura-bush-global-citizen-together-at-home/index.html|title=Laura Bush and Michelle Obama share hopeful message on Global Citizen concert special|date=April 18, 2020|publisher=CNN|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430200645/https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/18/politics/michelle-obama-laura-bush-global-citizen-together-at-home/index.html|url-status=live}}
File:President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Vice President Kamala Harris participated in a Presidential Armed Forces Full Honors Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery (50857648131).jpg in Arlington National Cemetery after the inauguration of Joe Biden.]]
On September 11, 2021, Bush and her husband commemorated the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks at the Flight 93 National Memorial.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/9-11-20th-anniversary-highlights-11631317666|title=U.S. Marks 20th Anniversary of 9/11 With a Day of Memorials|url-access=subscription|first1=Steven|last1=Rosenbush|first2=Jimmy|last2=Vielkind|date=September 11, 2021|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=September 12, 2021|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911235246/https://www.wsj.com/articles/9-11-20th-anniversary-highlights-11631317666|url-status=live}}
=Obama administration=
File:Laura Bush and Michelle Obama.jpg on November 10, 2008. The two First Ladies formed a friendship.]]
Over the course of the Obama presidency, she developed an alliance with Michelle Obama, her immediate successor as First Lady. Despite their political differences,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/07/us/politics/2-first-ladies-michelle-obama-laura-bush-share-tales-of-budding-partnership-and-life-in-the-spotlight.html?_r=0|title=2 First Ladies Share Tales of Budding Partnership and Life in the Spotlight|first=Peter|last=Baker|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 6, 2014|access-date=February 17, 2017|archive-date=September 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914220116/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/07/us/politics/2-first-ladies-michelle-obama-laura-bush-share-tales-of-budding-partnership-and-life-in-the-spotlight.html?_r=0|url-status=live}} Michelle Obama has called Laura Bush both her friend and a role model,{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/george-w-bush-crash-ladies-summit-michelle-obama-wife-laura-article-1.1893557|title=Michelle Obama, Laura Bush — with George W. Bush in tow — host first ladies' summit|date=August 6, 2014|newspaper=New York Daily News|first=Leslie|last=Larson|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307041929/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/george-w-bush-crash-ladies-summit-michelle-obama-wife-laura-article-1.1893557|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nation-and-world/michelle-obama-laura-bush-push-educating-woman-girls|title=Michelle Obama, Laura Bush push for educating woman, girls|date=August 6, 2014|publisher=reviewjournal.com|first=Darlene|last=Superville|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072253/http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nation-and-world/michelle-obama-laura-bush-push-educating-woman-girls|url-status=live}} crediting Bush with setting "a high bar" for her during her tenure as First Lady.{{cite news|url=http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2014/08/michelle-obama-and-laura-bush-banter-and-promote-african-girls-and-women.html/|date=August 6, 2014|newspaper=The Dallas Morning News|title=Michelle Obama and Laura Bush banter. George W. Bush joins them in promoting African girls and women|first=Todd J.|last=Gillman|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=January 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105094900/http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2014/08/michelle-obama-and-laura-bush-banter-and-promote-african-girls-and-women.html/|url-status=dead}} Bush defended Obama during her husband's campaign for president in 2008, publicly coming to her defense when she received criticism for a remark she made about being proud of her country for the first time in her adulthood during the campaign.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.reuters.com/talesfromthetrail/2008/06/09/laura-bush-defends-michelle-obama/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712133503/http://blogs.reuters.com/talesfromthetrail/2008/06/09/laura-bush-defends-michelle-obama/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 12, 2014|title=Laura Bush defends Michelle Obama|first=Andy|last=Sullivan|date=June 9, 2008|work=Reuters}}
Obama sent Bush a note thanking her{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/bellantoni/2008/jun/18/michelle-obama-sends-letter-laura-bush/|title=Michelle Obama sends letter to Laura Bush|date=June 18, 2008|first=Christina|last=Bellantoni|newspaper=The Washington Times|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307215425/http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/bellantoni/2008/jun/18/michelle-obama-sends-letter-laura-bush/|url-status=live}} and after the election met with Bush at the White House in November 2008,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/us/politics/11obama.html|title=For Obamas, a Tour of the White House and the Issues Ahead|date=November 10, 2008|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=February 17, 2017|archive-date=September 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917034349/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/us/politics/11obama.html|url-status=live}} Bush giving Obama a tour of her and her family's soon-to-be home.{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/7/michelle-obama-gushes-laura-bush-role-model/|title=Michelle Obama gushes on Laura Bush as 'role model and a friend'|first=Cheryl|last=Chumley|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=August 7, 2014|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=June 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611012423/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/7/michelle-obama-gushes-laura-bush-role-model/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-obama-michelle-idUSKBN0G62G820140806|title=U.S. first lady Michelle Obama calls Laura Bush a role model, friend|date=August 6, 2014|first=Annika|last=McGinnis|publisher=reuters.com|access-date=July 2, 2017|archive-date=January 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123213648/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-obama-michelle-idUSKBN0G62G820140806|url-status=live}}
In September 2009, Bush openly praised President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. She reasoned that President Obama was performing well in the presidency despite having multiple initiatives taking place and complimented the First Lady's transformation of the White House into "a comfortable home for her family".{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/07/laura.bush/|title=Laura Bush praises Obama, bemoans excessive partisanship|first=Zain|last=Verjee|publisher=CNN|date=September 8, 2009|access-date=November 5, 2015|archive-date=October 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017195324/http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/07/laura.bush/|url-status=live}}
The following year, in September 2010, Bush and Obama commemorated the ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks by leading a ceremony from a mountaintop to national memorial park.{{cite news|url=http://articles.philly.com/2010-09-12/news/24999330_1_crash-site-passengers-paul-murdoch|title=Michelle Obama, Laura Bush honor Flight 93 heroes|first=Amy|last=Worden|date=September 12, 2009|publisher=Philly.com|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090500/http://articles.philly.com/2010-09-12/news/24999330_1_crash-site-passengers-paul-murdoch|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2010/0823/Michelle-Obama-Laura-Bush-to-unite-for-9-11-memorial-event|title=Michelle Obama, Laura Bush to unite for 9/11 memorial event|date=August 23, 2010|newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor|first=Peter|last=Grier|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=September 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913234301/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2010/0823/Michelle-Obama-Laura-Bush-to-unite-for-9-11-memorial-event|url-status=live}}
The two both acted as keynote speakers and met with the families of the 40 victims of United Airlines Flight 93 plane crash.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/michelle-obama-laura-bush-to-speak-at-ceremony-for-flight-93-victims/|title=Michelle Obama, Laura Bush to Speak at Ceremony for Flight 93 Victims|date=August 23, 2010|publisher=Fox News|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806061635/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/08/23/michelle-obama-laura-bush-speak-ceremony-flight-victims.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/11/AR2010091102591.html|title=Michelle Obama and Laura Bush commemorate 9/11 at Pa. site of Flight 93 crash|first=Nia-Malika|last=Henderson|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806064115/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/11/AR2010091102591.html|url-status=live}} In their remarks, the two sang each other's praises. Obama thanked Bush for her handling of the aftermath of September 11 attacks, while Bush called her a "first lady who serves this country with such grace".{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/09/11/pennsylvania.flight93/|title=First ladies remember victims of Flight 93|date=September 11, 2010|publisher=CNN|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806063504/http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/09/11/pennsylvania.flight93/|url-status=live}}
In July 2013, Bush and Obama appeared together in Africa at the First Ladies Summit.{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/07/02/michelle-obama-laura-bush-offer-advice-to-other-first-ladies-at-african-summit/|title=Michelle Obama, Laura Bush joke about 'prison' of White House|date=July 2, 2013|first=Chloe|last=Sommers|publisher=politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com|access-date=December 7, 2015|archive-date=December 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210192452/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/07/02/michelle-obama-laura-bush-offer-advice-to-other-first-ladies-at-african-summit/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/michelle-obama-laura-bush-africa-093650|title=FLOTUS dishes to Laura Bush|first=Mike|last=Allen|date=July 2, 2013|work=Politico|access-date=December 7, 2015|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208222348/http://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/michelle-obama-laura-bush-africa-093650|url-status=live}} Their husbands were also present, leading White House staffer Ben Rhodes to refer to the joint appearance as proof of the support for Africa in the United States regardless of political party.{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/michelle-obama-laura-bush-to-make-joint-appearance-in-tanzania/|title=Michelle Obama, Laura Bush to make joint appearance in Tanzania|first=Jake|last=Miller|work=CBS News|date=June 30, 2013|access-date=December 8, 2015|archive-date=December 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210194224/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/michelle-obama-laura-bush-to-make-joint-appearance-in-tanzania/|url-status=live}} In their remarks, both Bush and Obama stressed the importance of being role models.{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/witw/articles/2013/07/03/bush-institute-summit-in-tanzania-includes-michelle-obama-laura-bush.html|title=Bush Institute Summit in Tanzania Includes Michelle Obama, Laura Bush|date=July 3, 2013|website=The Daily Beast|access-date=December 8, 2015|archive-date=September 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925194224/http://www.thedailybeast.com/witw/articles/2013/07/03/bush-institute-summit-in-tanzania-includes-michelle-obama-laura-bush.html|url-status=live}}
Nine months later, on April 18, 2014, Bush spoke to Inquisitr regarding income inequality where she said next regarding Michelle Obama's income: "I want to make sure that when she's working she's getting paid the same as men. I gotta say that First Ladies right now don't [get paid], even though that's a tough job!"{{cite news|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/1217633/michelle-obama-should-not-be-paid-as-first-lady-says-laura-bush/ |title=Michelle Obama Should Not Be Paid As First Lady, Says Laura Bush |date=April 18, 2014 |access-date=May 7, 2014 |work=The Inquisitr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507235623/http://www.inquisitr.com/1217633/michelle-obama-should-not-be-paid-as-first-lady-says-laura-bush/ |archive-date=May 7, 2014 |url-status=dead}} In August 2014, Bush and Obama appeared together at the Kennedy Center.{{cite news|url=http://www.mediaite.com/online/irony-michelle-obama-says-no-one-really-cares-what-you-had-for-lunch/|title=Irony: Michelle Obama Says 'No One Really Cares What You Had for Lunch'|date=August 6, 2014|first=Eddie|last=Scarry|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=December 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210190639/http://www.mediaite.com/online/irony-michelle-obama-says-no-one-really-cares-what-you-had-for-lunch/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/michelle-obama-and-laura-bush-promote-the-power-of-first-ladies/2014/08/06/c24792fa-6029-4cd2-a0bc-90165aa3b1fa_story.html|title=Michelle Obama and Laura Bush promote the power of first ladies|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=August 6, 2014|first=Krissah|last=Thompson|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=December 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211002340/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/michelle-obama-and-laura-bush-promote-the-power-of-first-ladies/2014/08/06/c24792fa-6029-4cd2-a0bc-90165aa3b1fa_story.html|url-status=live}} Shortly afterward, Bush told The Washington Post that she believed Obama was ready to leave the White House.{{cite news|url=http://www.mediaite.com/online/laura-bush-michelle-obama-is-ready-to-exit-the-white-house/|title=Laura Bush: Michelle Obama Is Ready to Exit the White House|first=Eddie|last=Scarry|date=September 10, 2014|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=December 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210183723/http://www.mediaite.com/online/laura-bush-michelle-obama-is-ready-to-exit-the-white-house/|url-status=live}}
In March 2015, Bush and Obama were named as co-chairs of the Find Your Park campaign, an attempt to increase national park support and introduce millennials to the park service before its centennial the following year.{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/find-you-park-campaign-2015-michelle-obama-laura-bush-launch-effort-attract-younger-1863486|title=Find You Park Campaign 2015: Michelle Obama, Laura Bush Launch Effort To Attract Younger, More Diverse Visitors To National Parks|date=March 30, 2015|website=International Business Times|first=Aaron|last=Morrison|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=December 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223215559/http://www.ibtimes.com/find-you-park-campaign-2015-michelle-obama-laura-bush-launch-effort-attract-younger-1863486|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/travel/bal-national-parks-find-your-park-20150330-story.html|title=National parks call on Americans to 'Find Your Park'|date=March 30, 2015|first=Brett|last=Zongker|newspaper=Baltimore Sun|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=March 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302210027/http://www.baltimoresun.com/travel/bal-national-parks-find-your-park-20150330-story.html|url-status=live}} The pair made a joint appearance at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in September 2015, Bush appearing physically while Obama was present through a video call. Obama spoke of her admiration for Bush, who in turn mentioned their collaborations as "a great example for the world to see that women in different political parties, in the United States, agree on so many issues".{{cite news|url=http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2015/09/first-ladies-laura-bush-michelle-obama-talk-womens-education-joint-initiatives.html/|title=First Ladies Laura Bush, Michelle Obama talk women's education, joint initiatives|first=Julie|last=Fancher|date=September 22, 2015|access-date=December 6, 2015|archive-date=October 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026162048/http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2015/09/first-ladies-laura-bush-michelle-obama-talk-womens-education-joint-initiatives.html/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.romper.com/p/michelle-obama-says-laura-bush-was-nothing-but-gracious-to-her-its-refreshing-25264|title=Michelle Obama Says Laura Bush Was 'Nothing But Gracious' To Her & It's Refreshing|publisher=Romper|access-date=December 20, 2016|archive-date=March 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329062645/https://www.romper.com/p/michelle-obama-says-laura-bush-was-nothing-but-gracious-to-her-its-refreshing-25264|url-status=live}}
=Trump administration=
On January 20, 2017, Bush and her husband attended the inauguration of Donald Trump.{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/01/20/510850745/-meme-of-the-week-george-w-bush-battles-poncho-at-inauguration-and-loses|title=#Meme Of The Week: George W. Bush Battles Poncho At Inauguration And Loses|website=NPR.org|date=January 20, 2017|last1=Kelly|first1=Meg|access-date=April 2, 2018|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601144152/https://www.npr.org/2017/01/20/510850745/-meme-of-the-week-george-w-bush-battles-poncho-at-inauguration-and-loses|url-status=live}} In a November interview, Bush stated that she wished the Trumps "the very best" given that she knew what it was like to live in the White House and confirmed that she both been in contact with former first lady Melania Trump and been invited to the Diplomatic Reception Room by retained personnel from the Bush administration.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/01/politics/laura-bush-ghani-cnntv/index.html|title=Laura Bush on first family: 'I wish them all the best'|first=Maegan|last=Vazquez|publisher=CNN|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724020027/https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/01/politics/laura-bush-ghani-cnntv/index.html|url-status=live}}
On June 17, 2018, Bush wrote an opinion piece firmly opposing the Trump administration family separation policy in The Washington Post.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/laura-bush-separating-children-from-their-parents-at-the-border-breaks-my-heart/2018/06/17/f2df517a-7287-11e8-9780-b1dd6a09b549_story.html|title=Laura Bush: Separating children from their parents at the border 'breaks my heart'|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=June 19, 2018|archive-date=February 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217181128/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/laura-bush-separating-children-from-their-parents-at-the-border-breaks-my-heart/2018/06/17/f2df517a-7287-11e8-9780-b1dd6a09b549_story.html|url-status=live}} She mentioned how her mother-in-law Barbara Bush had picked up a crying AIDS baby while on a visit to the HIV/AIDS shelter "Grandma's House" in 1989. She mentioned this to indicate her shock upon discovery that the workers at the children's border shelter have been instructed "not to pick up or touch the children to comfort them".
=Biden administration=
On January 20, 2021, Bush and her husband attended the inauguration of Joe Biden.
=Involvement with GOP=
In the later months of 2012, Bush campaigned for Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, hosting a fundraiser in September with Ann Romney and appearing in Livonia, Michigan, the following month for a Romney campaign event. Michigan spokeswoman for the Romney campaign Kelsey Knight said having Mrs. Bush there would "just fuel the fire and the momentum we are seeing".{{cite news|url=http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2012/10/laura-bush-to-stump-for-mitt-romney-in-michigan-as-both-campaigns-utilize-bush-years-in-elections-final-days.html/|title=Laura Bush to stump for Mitt Romney in Michigan, as both campaigns utilize Bush years in election's final days|date=October 27, 2012|newspaper=The Dallas Morning News|access-date=November 8, 2015|archive-date=October 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017073537/http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2012/10/laura-bush-to-stump-for-mitt-romney-in-michigan-as-both-campaigns-utilize-bush-years-in-elections-final-days.html/|url-status=dead}} She also campaigned for vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan, telling a crowd in Detroit that he and Romney had "better answers" on the economy and foreign policy.{{cite news|url=http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2012/10/laura-bush-on-the-stump-in-michigan-mitt-romney-and-paul-ryan-have-better-answers.html/|title=Laura Bush on the stump in Michigan: 'Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan have better answers'|date=October 29, 2012|newspaper=The Dallas Morning News|first=Tom|last=Benning|access-date=November 8, 2015|archive-date=June 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621044128/http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2012/10/laura-bush-on-the-stump-in-michigan-mitt-romney-and-paul-ryan-have-better-answers.html/|url-status=dead}}
After the 2012 election, where Romney lost to President Obama, Bush was asked in March 2013 during an interview whether the GOP's positions on social issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion led to more than half of female voters voting for the President.{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/12/laura-bush-gop_n_2859434.html|title=Laura Bush: GOP Has Some Candidates Who 'Frightened' Women|date=March 12, 2013|first=Mollie|last=Reilly|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=December 7, 2015|archive-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308045031/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/12/laura-bush-gop_n_2859434.html|url-status=live}} Bush responded that some of the candidates had "frightened some candidates", but at the same time expressed her liking of the Republican Party having room for difference of opinion and that within the party, "we have room for all".{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/03/laura-bush-says-republicans-frightened-women/|title=Laura Bush Says Republicans 'Frightened' Women|date=March 12, 2013|work=ABC News|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803061644/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/03/laura-bush-says-republicans-frightened-women/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2013/03/12/laura-bush-some-gop-candidates-frightened-women/|title=Laura Bush: Some GOP candidates 'frightened' women|date=March 12, 2013|first=Aaron|last=Blake|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=December 7, 2015|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305071645/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2013/03/12/laura-bush-some-gop-candidates-frightened-women/|url-status=live}}
Throughout 2015, Bush was active in the presidential campaign of brother-in-law Jeb Bush, hosting fundraisers and endorsing him.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-09-12/laura-bush-hits-the-fundraising-circuit|title=Laura Bush Hits the Fundraising Circuit|publisher=Bloomberg Politics|first=Michael C.|last=Bender|date=September 12, 2015|access-date=March 8, 2017|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307223402/http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-09-12/laura-bush-hits-the-fundraising-circuit|url-status=live}} This was the most politically involved she had been since leaving the White House seven years prior, supporting her brother-in-law alongside the rest of her family because, in her words, he was "our candidate".{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/03/17/laura-bush-afghan-women-us-interests-2016/81868130/|title=Laura Bush on Afghan women, U.S. interests and 2016|date=March 17, 2016|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902210908/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/03/17/laura-bush-afghan-women-us-interests-2016/81868130/|url-status=live}}
In March she affirmed her support for her brother-in-law, calling herself and her husband "huge Jeb supporters".{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/laura-bush-jeb-bush-campaign-115823|title=Laura Bush: 'W' watching Jeb's likely campaign from the sidelines|date=March 6, 2015|work=Politico|first=Nick|last=Gass|access-date=December 7, 2015|archive-date=October 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018153335/http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/laura-bush-jeb-bush-campaign-115823|url-status=live}} It was reported that she would be assisting the campaign's fundraising in Florida in October, Bloomberg News commenting that Jeb Bush was "calling in help from perhaps the most popular member of his family".{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/lady-laura-bush-jeb-raise-money-campaign-article-1.2358453|title=Former First Lady Laura Bush to help brother-in-law Jeb raise money for campaign|newspaper=New York Daily News|date=September 12, 2015|access-date=December 7, 2015|archive-date=December 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217080941/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/lady-laura-bush-jeb-raise-money-campaign-article-1.2358453|url-status=live}} According to Clay Johnson, a friend of the Bush family, she was reportedly surprised by Donald Trump's becoming frontrunner over the course of the election cycle.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-george-w-bush-jeb-bush-south-carolina-20160212-story.html|title=George W. Bush, 'taken aback' by Trump's rise, to stump with Jeb|date=February 12, 2016|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=February 15, 2016|archive-date=February 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215150603/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-george-w-bush-jeb-bush-south-carolina-20160212-story.html|url-status=live}} In February 2016, amid her brother-in-law's campaign trailing Trump in South Carolina polls, Bush traveled there with her husband.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/15/politics/george-w-bush-jeb-bush-south-carolina/index.html|title=George W. Bush: President shouldn't be someone 'who mirrors and inflames our frustration'|first=MJ|last=Lee|publisher=CNN|date=February 15, 2016|access-date=February 16, 2016|archive-date=February 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216020422/http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/15/politics/george-w-bush-jeb-bush-south-carolina/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/george-w-bush-returns-to-campaign-trail-for-brother/2016/02/15/9ea2e3ba-d42d-11e5-b195-2e29a4e13425_story.html|title=George W. Bush returns to campaign trail for brother|date=February 15, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=February 16, 2016|archive-date=February 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216131551/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/george-w-bush-returns-to-campaign-trail-for-brother/2016/02/15/9ea2e3ba-d42d-11e5-b195-2e29a4e13425_story.html|url-status=live}} Jeb Bush dropped out of the race after the South Carolina primary.{{Cite news|title=Jeb Bush Bows Out of Campaign, Humbled and Outgunned|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/us/politics/jeb-bush.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220103/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/us/politics/jeb-bush.html |archive-date=2022-01-03 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 20, 2016|access-date=February 21, 2016|issn=0362-4331|first1=Ashley|last1=Parker|first2=Michael|last2=Barbaro}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite magazine|title=Jeb Bush Drops Out of Presidential Race|url=https://time.com/4231664/jeb-bush-drops-out-president/|magazine=Time|access-date=February 21, 2016|author=TIME Staff|date=February 21, 2016|archive-date=February 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221080518/http://time.com/4231664/jeb-bush-drops-out-president/|url-status=live}} The following month, Bush declined answering if she would vote for Trump, who was the frontrunner in the Republican primary, should he become the nominee{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/laura-bush-dont-vote-donald-trump/story?id=37727511|title=Laura Bush: 'Don't Ask' If I'll Vote For Donald Trump|date=March 17, 2016|work=ABC News|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803012303/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/laura-bush-dont-vote-donald-trump/story?id=37727511|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/17/laura-bush-dont-ask-if-ill-vote-for-donald-trump/|title=Laura Bush: 'Don't ask' if I'll vote for Donald Trump|date=March 17, 2016|newspaper=Washington Times|access-date=March 22, 2016|archive-date=March 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321232112/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/17/laura-bush-dont-ask-if-ill-vote-for-donald-trump/|url-status=live}} and said the U.S. was going through a xenophobic period at the time of the election cycle.{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/laura-bush-us-xenophobic-220777|title=Laura Bush: U.S. going through 'xenophobic' period|first=Eliza|last=Collins|work=Politico|access-date=March 22, 2016|archive-date=March 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318233442/http://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/laura-bush-us-xenophobic-220777|url-status=live}} Ultimately, Bush and her husband refused to vote for a president in 2016.{{cite web |url=http://heavy.com/news/2016/11/did-laura-george-w-bush-vote-for-donald-trump-hillary-clinton-for-president-election-2016/ |title=Did George W. Bush Vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton? |last=Morrow |first=Brendan |date=November 8, 2016 |work=Heavy.com |access-date=December 14, 2016 |archive-date=December 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201135213/http://heavy.com/news/2016/11/did-laura-george-w-bush-vote-for-donald-trump-hillary-clinton-for-president-election-2016/ |url-status=live }}
Libraries
File:Mrs. Barbara Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush.jpg, at the LBJ Presidential Library in 2012]]
Bush created the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries "to support the education of our nation's children by providing funds to update, extend, and diversify the book and print collections of America's school libraries".{{cite web|publisher=Laura Bush Foundation |url=http://www.laurabushfoundation.com/ |title=The Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries Awards More Than $1.09 Million in Grants to School |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516222943/http://www.laurabushfoundation.com/ |archive-date=May 16, 2008 |url-status=dead}} Every year, the Laura Bush Foundation's grants award more than $1,000,000 to US schools.
The Laura Bush 21st Century Library Program grant, offered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, provides funding for "the recruitment and education of library students and continuing education for those already in the profession, as well as the development of new programs and curricula".{{cite web |url=http://www.imls.gov/call_for_applications_fy_14_laura_bush_21st_century_librarian_program.aspx |title=Institute of Museum and Library Services |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314192806/http://www.imls.gov/call_for_applications_fy_14_laura_bush_21st_century_librarian_program.aspx |archive-date=March 14, 2014 |url-status=dead}} Bush's 21st Century Library Program is an equal opportunity grant that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.{{Cite web|url=https://www.imls.gov/nofo/laura-bush-21st-century-librarian-program-fy17-notice-funding-opportunity|title=LAURA BUSH 21ST CENTURY LIBRARIAN PROGRAM – FY17 NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY|website=Institute of Museum and Library Services|access-date=March 27, 2019|archive-date=September 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926051445/https://www.imls.gov/nofo/laura-bush-21st-century-librarian-program-fy17-notice-funding-opportunity|url-status=dead}}
In May 2015, Bush bestowed a $7,000 grant to six schools within Austin, Texas.{{cite news|url=http://kxan.com/2015/05/18/laura-bush-will-visit-an-austin-elementary-school/|title=Former first lady Laura Bush donates money to AISD libraries|date=May 18, 2015|first=Kate|last=Weldaw|publisher=kxan.com|access-date=December 7, 2015|archive-date=April 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426081816/http://kxan.com/2015/05/18/laura-bush-will-visit-an-austin-elementary-school/|url-status=dead}}
After Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in 2005, the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries awarded grants of $10,000 to $75,000 to school libraries whose collections were damaged or destroyed in the hurricanes. In 2017, after the devastation from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria as well as the California wildfires, the foundation again is going to dedicate their resources to disaster-affected schools to rebuild their book collections.{{cite news |last= Webb|first=Shelby |date= 25 September 2017|title= Barbara and Laura Bush pledge $2 million for storm-ravaged schools, libraries|url= https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Former-first-ladies-pledge-2-million-for-12227433.php|work= Houston Chronicle|location= Houston|publisher= Houston Chronicle|access-date=7 March 2025}}
Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health
In August 2007, the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health (LWBIWH) was founded at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. This institute aims to integrate research, education and community outreach in a multidisciplinary approach to women's health and has begun efforts to establish a multi-campus women's health institute in Amarillo, El Paso, Lubbock and the Permian Basin.{{cite web|url=http://www.ttuhsc.edu/lwbiwh/history.aspx|title=Laura Bush Institute|access-date=September 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131204839/http://www.ttuhsc.edu/lwbiwh/history.aspx|archive-date=January 31, 2013|url-status=dead}}
A subsidiary of the center, the Jenna Welch Women's Center, opened in Midland, Texas, on August 10, 2010, to deliver expert medical care to women and their families. Operating in partnership with the Laura Bush Institute, the Jenna Welch Center, named for Bush's mother, strives for excellence in research, education and community outreach.{{cite web|url=http://www.ttuhsc.edu/jennawelch/about/history.aspx|title=About the Jenna Welch Women's Center|author=State of Texas and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center|access-date=September 16, 2018|archive-date=November 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128041108/http://www.ttuhsc.edu/jennawelch/about/history.aspx|url-status=dead}}
Writings and recordings
Bush wrote her first book with her daughter Jenna called Read All About It!. It was published on April 23, 2008.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/books/review/Sutton-t.html |title=Because It's Good for You |newspaper=The New York Times |date=May 11, 2008 |first=Roger |last=Sutton |access-date=November 14, 2014 |archive-date=October 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013180504/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/books/review/Sutton-t.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/read-all-about-it-laura-bush/1101379958|title=Review of Read all about it!|publisher=Barnes & Noble|access-date=November 18, 2016|archive-date=November 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119100500/http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/read-all-about-it-laura-bush/1101379958|url-status=dead}} Bush's memoir, Spoken from the Heart, was published in 2010. The book received mixed reviews from critics but got positive responses from readers. The book earned Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Memoir and Autobiography (2010).{{cite web|url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7770554-spoken-from-the-heart|title=Book reviews of Spoken from the heart by readers|publisher=Goodreads.com|access-date=November 18, 2016|archive-date=November 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111175222/http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7770554-spoken-from-the-heart|url-status=live}} Her non-fictional book about oppressed women of Afghanistan titled We Are Afghan Women: Voices of Hope was published on March 8, 2016.{{cite news|last1=Page|first1=Susan|title=Laura Bush on Afghan women, U.S. interests and 2016|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/03/17/laura-bush-afghan-women-us-interests-2016/81868130/|access-date=March 24, 2016|work=USA Today|date=March 17, 2016|archive-date=March 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323185438/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/03/17/laura-bush-afghan-women-us-interests-2016/81868130/|url-status=live}} She wrote another children's book with her daughter Jenna, Our Great Big Backyard. The book was published on May 10, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/our-great-big-backyard-laura-bush/1122874109|title=Review of Our Great Big Backyard|publisher=Barnes & Noble|access-date=November 18, 2016|archive-date=November 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119084945/http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/our-great-big-backyard-laura-bush/1122874109|url-status=dead}} She was the recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Junior League of Dallas, of which she is a member.{{Cite web|url=https://socialwhirl.com/2021/07/08/junior-league-of-dallas-announces-mrs-laura-bush-will-receive-the-lifetime-achievement-award-and-ms-veletta-lill-will-be-honored-as-the-2022-sustainer-of-the-year/|title=Junior League of Dallas Announces MRS. Laura Bush Will Receive the Lifetime Achievement Award and Ms. Veletta Lill Will be Honored as the 2022 Sustainer of the Year – SocialWhirl is now Philanthropy Lifestyles|date=July 8, 2021|access-date=February 5, 2022|archive-date=February 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205033521/https://socialwhirl.com/2021/07/08/junior-league-of-dallas-announces-mrs-laura-bush-will-receive-the-lifetime-achievement-award-and-ms-veletta-lill-will-be-honored-as-the-2022-sustainer-of-the-year/|url-status=live}}
Awards and honors
File:Laura Bush honored at National Book Festival 2008.jpg, the Librarian of Congress, for her work in support of the National Book Festival, September 2008.]]
During and after her tenure as the First Lady, Laura Bush received a number of awards and honors. In October 2002, the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity honored her in recognition of her efforts on behalf of education.{{cite web |access-date=December 13, 2006 |date=October 8, 2002 |url=http://www.eliewieselfoundation.org/laurabush.aspx |title=Laura Bush Honored at the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity Award Dinner |publisher=The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity |archive-date=October 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030195920/http://www.eliewieselfoundation.org/laurabush.aspx }} Also in 2002, she was named Barbara Walters' Most Fascinating Person of the year.{{cite web|url=http://filmrise.com/barbara-walters-picks-amal-clooney-as-most-fascinating-person-of-the-year-backlash-was-immediate/|title=FilmRise Barbara Walters Picks Amal Clooney As "Most Fascinating Person Of The Year" – Backlash Was Immediate|work=FilmRise|access-date=December 20, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075535/http://filmrise.com/barbara-walters-picks-amal-clooney-as-most-fascinating-person-of-the-year-backlash-was-immediate/|url-status=dead}}
The American Library Association honored her for her years of support to America's libraries and librarians in April 2005.{{cite web|last=Murphy |first=Bernadette |url=http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=News&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=91719 |title=ALA honors Mrs. Laura Bush for service to libraries |access-date=December 13, 2006 |date=April 12, 2005 |publisher=ALA Washington Office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205182008/http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=News&template=%2FContentManagement%2FContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=91719 |url-status=live |archive-date=December 5, 2008}}
On October 18, 2003, she was conferred by the former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo the Order of Gabriela Silang, a single-class order which makes her the first U.S. First Lady recipient during the state visit of President George Bush to the Philippines.{{cite news|url=http://www.gov.ph/diplomatic-relations/ph-us/honors-conferred-by-ph/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712075553/http://www.gov.ph/diplomatic-relations/ph-us/honors-conferred-by-ph/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-07-12|title=Briefer: Honors conferred by the PH gov't on U.S. Presidents and First Ladies|newspaper=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines}}
She received an award in honor of her dedication to help improve the living conditions and education of children around the world, from the Kuwait-American Foundation in March 2006.{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/03/images/20060308-9_p030806sc-0005-1-515h.html |title=News & Policies > March 2006 Images |author=Craighead, Shealah|author-link=Shealah Craighead |access-date=December 13, 2006 |date=March 8, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514222513/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/03/images/20060308-9_p030806sc-0005-1-515h.html |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |url-status=dead}} She accepted The Nichols-Chancellor's Medal on behalf of disaster relief workers around the world in May 2006 from Vanderbilt University. In 2007, she received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.{{cite web|title=Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement|website=www.achievement.org|publisher=American Academy of Achievement|url=https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#public-service|access-date=September 10, 2020|archive-date=December 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161215023909/https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#public-service|url-status=live}}
Four learning facilities have been named for her: the Laura Welch Bush Elementary School of Pasadena ISD in Houston, Texas,{{cite web |title=Laura Welch Bush Elementary |access-date=June 14, 2010 |url=http://pasadena.tx.schoolwebpages.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=12466&pagecat=738 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716014439/http://pasadena.tx.schoolwebpages.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=12466&pagecat=738 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |url-status=dead}} the Laura W. Bush Elementary School in the Leander ISD in Travis County, Texas, just outside Austin,{{cite web|access-date=December 18, 2006 |url=http://nse.leanderisd.org/default.aspx?name=lwb.history |title=Laura Welch Bush Elementary School |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015204634/http://nse.leanderisd.org/default.aspx?name=lwb.history |archive-date=October 15, 2007 |url-status=dead}} the Laura Bush Middle School (Lubbock-Cooper ISD) in Lubbock, Texas,{{cite web|url=https://lbms.lcisd.net/|title=Home|publisher=Laura Bush Middle School|access-date=2019-11-22|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803050130/https://lbms.lcisd.net/|url-status=live}} and the Laura Bush Education Center at Camp Bondsteel, a U.S. military base in Kosovo.{{Cite web |title=Remarks by Mrs. Bush for Camp Bondsteel Education Center Dedication – Kosovo |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/07/images/20010724-3_bondsteelp5691-25-515h.html |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov}} She was awarded the 2008 Christian Freedom International Freedom Award.{{cite press release|access-date=December 8, 2008 |url=http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/616628883.html |title=First Lady Laura Bush Receives the 2008 Christian Freedom International Freedom Award |publisher=Christian Freedom International |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208101909/http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/616628883.html |archive-date=December 8, 2008 |url-status=live}} Bush is on the Board of Selectors of Jefferson Awards for Public Service.{{Cite web|url=http://www.jeffersonawards.org/board|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124055949/http://www.jeffersonawards.org/board|url-status=dead|title=Jefferson Awards|archive-date=November 24, 2010}}
In 2012, Bush—along with Hector Ruiz, Charles Matthews, Melinda Perrin, Julius Glickman and Admiral William H. McRaven, the Navy Seal who oversaw the raid that killed Osama bin Laden—was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Texas at Austin.{{cite news|url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/highereducation/entries/2012/05/08/texas_exes_name_6_distinguishe.html?cxntfid=blogs_the_lowdown_on_higher_education |author=Ralph K.M. Haurwitz |title=Texas Exes name 6 distinguished alumni |date=May 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102173133/http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/highereducation/entries/2012/05/08/texas_exes_name_6_distinguishe.html?cxntfid=blogs_the_lowdown_on_higher_education |archive-date=November 2, 2013 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://alcalde.texasexes.org/2012/05/texas-exes-announce-2012-distinguished-alumni/ |author=Rose Cahalan |title=All Hail the Texas Exes' 2012 Distinguished Alumni |work=The Alcalde |date=May 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519220742/http://alcalde.texasexes.org/2012/05/texas-exes-announce-2012-distinguished-alumni/ |archive-date=May 19, 2012 |url-status=dead}}
In October 2015, Bush was conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Wayland Baptist University in recognition of her longtime advocacy on behalf of education, health care and human rights following an address she gave on the university's campus.{{cite news|url=https://www.ksl.com/?nid=1016&sid=37049159&title=laura-bush-receives-honorary-doctorate-from-wayland-baptist|title=Laura Bush receives honorary doctorate from Wayland Baptist|publisher=KSL.com|date=October 21, 2015|access-date=October 25, 2015|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208044845/https://www.ksl.com/?nid=1016&sid=37049159&title=laura-bush-receives-honorary-doctorate-from-wayland-baptist|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.myplainview.com/news/article_dc820b0c-7839-11e5-87af-8b79895cb771.html|title=Wayland honors Laura Bush with honorary doctorate|publisher=myplainview.com|date=October 21, 2015|access-date=October 25, 2015|archive-date=October 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024172136/http://www.myplainview.com/news/article_dc820b0c-7839-11e5-87af-8b79895cb771.html|url-status=dead}} November, she received the 2015 Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award.{{cite press release|url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/prevent_blindness_honors_former_first_lady_laura_bush_with_the_2015_person_of_vision_award/prweb13072004.htm|title=Prevent Blindness Honors Former First Lady Laura Bush With the 2015 Person of Vision Award|date=November 27, 2015|publisher=PRWeb|access-date=November 27, 2015|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208082300/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/11/prweb13072004.htm|url-status=live}}
In November 2016 Bush received 10 for 10 award from Women's Democracy Network in recognition of her years of work on behalf of Afghan women's rights.{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/university-park/2016/11/22/laura-bush-receives-award-work-behalf-afghan-women-urges-trump-continue-efforts|title=Laura Bush receives award for work on behalf of Afghan women, urges Trump to continue efforts|work=The Dallas Morning News|date=November 22, 2016|access-date=November 23, 2016|archive-date=November 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123170722/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/university-park/2016/11/22/laura-bush-receives-award-work-behalf-afghan-women-urges-trump-continue-efforts|url-status=live}}
In May 2017 Bush received an honor at the Women Making History Awards in Washington, D.C.{{cite news|url=https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/05/22/george-w-laura-bush-grandkids-nicknames/22103995/|title=George W. Bush's grandkids have odd nickname for him|publisher=Aol.News|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=May 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530174823/https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/05/22/george-w-laura-bush-grandkids-nicknames/22103995/|url-status=live}}
In 2018 Laura Bush and former president George W. Bush were awarded the National Constitution Center Liberty Medal for their work with U.S. military veterans since leaving the White House."[https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2018/11/12/george-w-laura-bush-awarded-liberty-medals-biden-bestows-honor/1974567002/ George W., Laura Bush awarded Liberty Medals in Philadelphia for work with veterans.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924175433/https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2018/11/12/george-w-laura-bush-awarded-liberty-medals-biden-bestows-honor/1974567002/ |date=September 24, 2021 }}" Delaware Online.(November 12, 2018).
In 2021 Bush received the Concordia Leadership Award.Concordia’s 2021 Leadership Award Goes to Former U.S. First Lady Laura Bush, the LEGO Group CEO Niels B. Christiansen, and Justice for Migrant Women Founder & President Monica Ramirez. Ecology, Environment & Conservation. NewsRX LLC, 2021.
In popular culture
Laura Bush is portrayed by Elizabeth Banks in Oliver Stone's film W.{{cite web |url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=43380 |title=Elizabeth Banks is Oliver Stone's Laura Bush |date=March 26, 2008 |publisher=ComingSoon.net |access-date=June 5, 2017 |archive-date=June 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630001606/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=43380 |url-status=dead }} Curtis Sittenfeld's bestselling novel American Wife is largely based on her life.{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/07/curtis-sittenfelds-emamer_n_111267.html/|title=Curtis Sittenfeld's American Wife Provides Fictionalized Portrait of Laura Bush|work=The Huffington Post|date=July 7, 2008|access-date=February 20, 2010|archive-date=May 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507125136/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/07/curtis-sittenfelds-emamer_n_111267.html|url-status=live}}
In 2018, Bush appeared in an episode of HGTV's Fixer Upper.{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/home/laura-bush-appeared-fixer-upper-see-how-she-helped-out-t121707|title=Laura Bush made a special appearance on 'Fixer Upper'! See how she helped out|work=Today|date=January 25, 2018|access-date=April 5, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028005454/https://www.today.com/home/laura-bush-appeared-fixer-upper-see-how-she-helped-out-t121707|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
- Gerhart, Ann. The Perfect Wife: The Life and Choices of Laura Bush. A biography. {{ISBN|0-7432-4383-8}}
- Gormley, Beatrice. Laura Bush: America's First Lady. A biography. {{ISBN|0-689-85366-1}}
- Kessler, Ronald. Laura Bush: An Intimate Portrait of the First Lady. A biography. {{ISBN|0-385-51621-5}}
- Montgomery, Leslie. Were It Not For Grace: Stories From Women After God's Own Heart; Featuring Condoleezza Rice, First Lady Laura Bush, Beth Moore & Others. Laura Bush shares her story about how God has had his hand on her life. {{ISBN|0-8054-3178-0}} {{Clear}}
External links
{{Sister project links}}
- {{official website|laurawbush.com|Laura Bush}}
- [https://www.bushcenter.org/topics/education/laura-bush-foundation-for-americas-libraries Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312171428/https://www.bushcenter.org/topics/education/laura-bush-foundation-for-americas-libraries |date=March 12, 2024 }}
- [https://www.imls.gov/grants/available/laura-bush-21st-century-librarian-program Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903174624/https://www.imls.gov/grants/available/laura-bush-21st-century-librarian-program |date=September 3, 2021 }} U.S.Institute of Museums and Library Services.
- [https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/about/first-ladies/laurabush First Lady biography] at Whitehouse.gov
- [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04102/299341.stm "The book on Laura Bush"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501125527/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04102/299341.stm |date=May 1, 2009 }} by Dennis B. Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/05/31/EDGRED01BU1.DTL "A Laura Bush we don't know"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919002635/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=%2Fchronicle%2Farchive%2F2005%2F05%2F31%2FEDGRED01BU1.DTL |date=September 19, 2011 }} by Eugene Robinson, San Francisco Chronicle
- {{IMDb name|id=1197615|name=Laura Bush}}
- {{C-SPAN|44855}}
- [http://firstladies.c-span.org/FirstLady/45/Laura-Bush.aspx Laura Bush] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002926/http://firstladies.c-span.org/FirstLady/45/Laura-Bush.aspx |date=November 3, 2014 }} at C-SPAN's First Ladies: Influence & Image
- [http://epcc.libguides.com/aecontent.php?pid=309255&sid=3224257 Jessie Hawkins and Jenna Welch Grandmother and Mother of Laura Bush ] Borderlands EPCC
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