Laura Welch Bush Biography

Laura Welch Bush

A Midland, Texas native, Laura Bush holds a BA from Southern Methodist University and an MA in library science from the University of Texas at Austin. She was a librarian and elementary school teacher in Dallas, Houston, and Austin from 1968 to 1977. In 1977 she married George W. Bush. Their twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna, were born in 1981. As Texas first lady, Laura promoted literacy, launching an early childhood development initiative to help parents prepare young children for learning. In addition, she helped organize the Texas Book Festival to promote Texas authors and raise money for the state's public libraries. Since 1996, 352 libraries have received grants. She has also worked for breast cancer awareness. While their daughters are attending college, a dog, Spot, and two cats, India and Ernie, will keep the Bushes company in the White House.