Laura Bush Biography Quotes 30 Report mistakes

Early Life and Education
Laura Lane Welch Bush was born on November 4, 1946, in Midland, Texas, the only child of Harold Welch and Jenna Hawkins Welch. Growing up in the oil town of West Texas, she developed an early love of books fostered by her parents and the local public library. A serious car accident during her teen years, in which a classmate died, left a lasting impression and deepened the sense of responsibility and empathy that would later characterize her public life. She attended Southern Methodist University, earning a degree in education in 1968, and went on to receive a master of library science from the University of Texas at Austin, training that would anchor her lifelong advocacy for reading and literacy.

Teaching and Librarianship
Before entering public life, Laura Bush worked as an elementary school teacher and later as a librarian. She taught in public schools in Dallas and Houston, gaining firsthand experience with classroom needs, family engagement, and the importance of early childhood literacy. As a school librarian, she saw how well-curated collections and a welcoming library could transform a child's relationship with learning. These years shaped the practical, results-oriented approach she brought to later initiatives that supported teachers, students, and local libraries.

Marriage and Family
In 1977 she married George W. Bush, then a young businessman from a prominent public service family. Her parents-in-law, Barbara Bush and George H. W. Bush, offered examples of civic commitment that resonated with her own interests, and Barbara Bush's literacy work, in particular, influenced Laura Bush's focus. Laura and George W. Bush became parents to twins, Barbara Pierce Bush and Jenna Welch Bush, born in 1981. As adults, their daughters pursued public-spirited careers of their own: Barbara in global health and Jenna as a journalist and author, later known as Jenna Bush Hager. Family remained central to Laura Bush's identity, even as her husband's political trajectory took them onto a national stage.

First Lady of Texas
When George W. Bush was elected governor of Texas in 1994, Laura Bush used the platform of First Lady of Texas to champion early reading and public libraries. In 1996 she helped found the Texas Book Festival, bringing authors, librarians, and readers together while raising support for library collections statewide. She worked closely with educators and community leaders to promote school readiness, family literacy, and stronger ties between schools and local libraries.

First Lady of the United States
As First Lady from 2001 to 2009, Laura Bush was a steady public presence during a turbulent period that included the September 11 attacks and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. She made history by delivering a presidential weekly radio address in November 2001 to spotlight the oppression of Afghan women and girls under the Taliban, and she later visited Afghanistan to meet educators and women's groups. She launched initiatives to bolster early childhood development, teacher recruitment, and school accountability, including Ready to Read, Ready to Learn. With Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, she established the National Book Festival in 2001, turning the National Mall into an annual celebration of authors, readers, and the power of books.

Her public health priorities included raising awareness of breast cancer and heart disease among women. She supported global health programs, drawing attention to efforts to combat HIV/AIDS and malaria in Africa. Domestically, she emphasized historic preservation and the national parks, championing projects that encouraged communities to protect cultural and natural heritage. After Hurricane Katrina, she visited the Gulf Coast and worked to support the rebuilding of school libraries and classrooms in affected communities.

Public Voice and Partnerships
Laura Bush's public voice was marked by civility and a focus on achievable goals. She campaigned actively for George W. Bush in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, emphasizing education and community. In Washington she partnered with librarians, teachers, and health experts, worked alongside officials such as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on issues affecting women and girls abroad, and drew on the example of Barbara Bush's literacy leadership. Her close collaboration with White House advisors and civil society groups broadened the reach of reading, health, and preservation campaigns.

Authorship and Cultural Engagement
After leaving the White House, Laura Bush published a memoir, Spoken from the Heart, reflecting on her upbringing, family, and years in public life. She also co-authored children's books with her daughter Jenna, including Read All About It!, encouraging young readers to find joy in stories. Through author events, literary festivals, and library initiatives, she continued to highlight how reading opens opportunity for children and families.

Philanthropy and the Bush Center
Laura Bush founded the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries in 2002 to provide grants for school libraries, especially those in underserved communities and those recovering from disasters. She and George W. Bush later established the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, creating a hub for policy work and civic education. Through the Bush Institute, she helped lead programs that invest in women's leadership and expand access to education and health, with particular attention to regions where girls' schooling faces obstacles.

Legacy
Laura Bush's legacy is grounded in the conviction that literacy, education, and cultural stewardship strengthen communities and sustain democracy. The influence of her parents, Harold and Jenna Welch, and the example set by Barbara and George H. W. Bush, informed a public life centered on service rather than partisanship. As a teacher, librarian, First Lady of Texas, and First Lady of the United States, she translated personal passions into enduring projects, from book festivals to school library grants to global advocacy for women and girls. Her calm demeanor and emphasis on practical progress earned her broad respect, and her initiatives continue to connect families, educators, and readers across the country and beyond.

Our collection contains 30 quotes who is written by Laura, under the main topics: Witty One-Liners - Ethics & Morality - Wisdom - Truth - Music.