About Us
Laura W. Bush Biography
Mrs. Laura Bush is actively involved in issues of national and global concern, with a particular emphasis on education, health care and human rights.
A former teacher and librarian, Mrs. Bush is an enthusiastic proponent of education and literacy. Mrs. Bush founded the Texas Book Festival and the National Book Festival. Through the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries, Mrs. Bush has provided grants to build school library collections.
A former teacher and librarian, Mrs. Bush convened in 2001 a Summit on Early Childhood As First Lady, Mrs. Bush traveled to all 50 States and more than 75 countries. Mrs. Bush traveled to Afghanistan where she saw progress achieved by the Afghan people after the fall of the Taliban regime. Mrs. Bush serves as the Honorary Advisor to the US-Afghan Women’s Council.
In support of President Bush’s life-saving global health initiatives, including the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Mrs. Bush visited Africa, Asia, and the Americas, where she witnessed first-hand the success of these historic commitments.
Mrs. Bush is an advocate for women’s health and has been an active participant in campaigns to raise awareness of breast cancer and heart disease, both in the U.S. and around the world.
Laura Bush was born in Midland, Texas, to Harold and Jenna Welch. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Southern Methodist University and a master’s degree in library science from the University of Texas. She taught in public schools in Dallas, Houston and Austin and worked as a public school librarian. In 1977, she met and married George Walker Bush. They are the parents of twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna.
Women’s Rights Key to
Afghan Success
By Laura Bush
From the Bush Center Blog
Afghanistan Must
Embrace Women’s Rights
By Laura Bush
From The Washington Post
and TIME magazine