Laura Bush

Laura Bush – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the life of Laura Bush — American educator, librarian, and First Lady of the United States (2001–2009). Explore her background, causes, influence, and memorable words.

Introduction

Laura Lane Welch Bush (born November 4, 1946) is an American educator and librarian who later became First Lady of Texas and then First Lady of the United States from 2001 to 2009, as the wife of President George W. Bush.

In her public life, she has been best known for her advocacy in literacy, education, women’s health, and global health issues. As First Lady, she sought to balance the traditional ceremonial roles with a substantive agenda focused on causes she cared deeply about. Her popularity among the public often exceeded her husband’s, and she continues to engage in educational and philanthropic work after leaving the White House.

In this article, you’ll find:

• Her early life and family

• Education and career before political life

• Role as First Lady of Texas and then the United States

• Her causes and initiatives

• Personality, style, and public reception

• Notable quotes

• Lessons from her life

• Her legacy and continuing influence

Early Life and Family

Laura Bush was born Laura Lane Welch on November 4, 1946, in Midland, Texas, the only child of Harold Bruce Welch and Jenna Louise Hawkins Welch.

Her father was a home builder and later a real estate businessman; her mother worked as the bookkeeper for her husband’s business.

From an early age, her parents encouraged her love of reading. Her mother introduced her to the local library and often read stories to her as a child, helping cultivate Laura’s affection for books and learning.

When Laura was 17 (in 1963), she was involved in a car accident in Midland. Her car ran a stop sign and collided with another vehicle, killing the other driver, Michael Dutton Douglas. Though she was not charged, the experience remained a tragic part of her life story, and in her memoir she later said it deeply affected her faith.

She completed her secondary education in Midland (Robert E. Lee High School) and graduated in 1964.

Education and Pre-Political Career

Laura Bush attended Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1968.

After her undergraduate studies, she worked as a public school elementary school teacher, teaching second grade in the Dallas area and later Houston, Texas.

In 1973, she earned a Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Texas at Austin, and then served as a children’s librarian in Texas schools.

Her professional life thus centered on education, literacy, and library work — domains she would later carry into her public role.

In 1977 she met George W. Bush, and they married on November 5, 1977. Barbara and Jenna, born in 1981.

First Lady of Texas (1995–2000)

When George W. Bush was elected Governor of Texas in 1994, Laura became the First Lady of Texas on January 17, 1995, serving until December 21, 2000.

In that capacity, she championed causes in health, education, and literacy. Among her initiatives:

• Take Time For Kids, a campaign to encourage parent-child interaction and engagement in children’s development

• Family Literacy programs, in cooperation with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy

• Ready to Read, a program promoting early childhood reading readiness

• Establishing the Texas Book Festival (in 1995) to raise funds and awareness for public libraries and literacy in Texas

• “Rainbow Rooms” across Texas for neglected or abused children, plus an “Adopt-a-Caseworker” program to support Child Protective Services

During her tenure as First Lady of Texas, her public presence was more modest than in national life, but she laid the groundwork in literacy and advocacy that would define her later role.

First Lady of the United States (2001–2009)

Themes & Priorities

As First Lady of the United States from January 20, 2001 to January 20, 2009, Laura Bush focused on education, literacy, women’s health, and global health issues.

She was the honorary chair of major reading and library initiatives, including the National Book Festival launched in 2001 in partnership with the Library of Congress.

She also supported the Heart Truth campaign (raising awareness of heart disease in women) and championed women’s health more broadly.

She took up international trips to spotlight HIV/AIDS, malaria, and global women’s health issues, especially in Africa and developing countries.

Role in Crises & Events

• During the September 11, 2001 attacks, she was in the White House when the events unfolded.

• In 2006, she co-hosted the first White House Summit on Malaria, expanding global health diplomacy.

• Her foreign visits often highlighted cultural diplomacy, health, and women’s issues. She visited countries in Africa to raise awareness and support for health programs.

Public Image, Style & Popularity

Laura Bush was generally well regarded by the public and polls. Her approval ratings were often among the highest of modern First Ladies.

She was seen as more reserved and less politically combative than many public figures, preferring to emphasize consistency, traditional values, and advocacy rather than controversy.

She took careful steps to maintain her identity rather than purely represent her husband’s policies.

Personality and Style

Laura Bush is known for being modest, graceful, intellectually curious, and media-savvy in a quiet way. Her deep love for books and libraries is a defining trait of her identity.

She often speaks of the importance of reading, education, and nurturing young minds.

She also has interests in conservation and nature, partly nurtured by her mother’s influence, and post–White House engaged in conservation and environmental projects in Texas.

Her public communications style tends toward empathy, restraint, and consistency — she avoids flamboyant rhetoric but projects warmth and sincerity.

Famous Quotes of Laura Bush

Here are several quotes that reflect her values, perspective, and public role:

“I learned [how important reading is] at home from my mother. When I was a little girl, my mother would read stories to me … reading gives you enjoyment throughout your life.”

“At that moment, it was not that I found my voice. Instead, it was as if my voice found me.” (on taking up women’s health advocacy)

“Women and girls have a right to know they have a voice in their own lives.” — in her advocacy for women’s rights (often cited in statements)

“After leaving the White House, life for me has meant education, literacy, public health — the same causes I’ve always cared about — just in a different venue.” (paraphrase of her continued purpose)

These quotes show her consistent orientation to education, voice, health, and service.

Lessons from Laura Bush’s Life

1. Consistency of values — Her career path from teacher to librarian to First Lady shows how a commitment to literacy and education can be the thread through many roles.

2. Adaptive influence — Rather than seeking overt political power, she worked through advocacy and soft diplomacy to advance causes she believed in.

3. Quiet power — Her style demonstrates that influence doesn’t always come from loudness; sometimes persistence, credibility, and sincerity win trust.

4. Bridging public & private roles — She navigated the challenges of being a public figure while preserving individual identity and family life.

5. Legacy through institutions — Post-White House, she continues her impact through foundations, centers, and ongoing advocacy that extend beyond tenure.

Legacy and Continuing Influence

After leaving the White House, Laura Bush and her husband founded the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas, which houses the presidential library and the Bush Institute, a public policy think tank focused on leadership, education, human freedom, and global health.

She continues to champion literacy, education, and women’s health through public speeches, foundation work, and nonprofit engagement.

The Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health (established in 2007) works on research, education, and community outreach on issues specific to women’s health.

Her role in promoting reading and libraries is memorialized in many schools and library programs in the U.S. named in her honor.

Public perception often highlights her as one of the more “traditional” but nonetheless active and respected First Ladies. Her continuing engagement shows the durability of soft influence and advocacy beyond holding office.