Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy: A Legacy of Literacy and Empowerment
Barbara Bush, former First Lady of the United States, often humbly attributed her successful life to her marriage. However, her legacy extends far beyond her role as the wife of President George H.W. Bush and the mother of President George W. Bush. She shares the rare distinction with Abigail Adams of being both a wife to, and mother of, a president. Barbara Bush was a passionate advocate for literacy, dedicating much of her life to promoting reading and education for people of all ages. Her commitment to literacy took root in 1978, when she realized that everything she worried about in life-from poverty to addiction to crime-could improve if more people could read, write, and comprehend. This commitment led to the establishment of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, an organization that has worked for over three decades to create a stronger, more equitable America through literacy.
Barbara Bush's Early Life and Introduction to Literacy
Barbara Pierce was born in New York City on June 8, 1925, the third of Marvin and Pauline (nee Robinson) Pierce’s four children. Reading inspired her life’s work Barbara Pierce was born in New York City on June 8, 1925, and raised in Rye, New York as one of four children. A clever child, she loved to read-a passion that would inspire her life’s work. At 16, she met George H.W. Bush of Greenwich, Connecticut. They danced briefly and sat out the waltz that followed, chatting for 15 minutes. With the onset of war, young Barbara spent a summer working as a gofer at a nuts and bolts factory in Port Chester, New York. She eventually interrupted her studies at Smith College in 1944 as the couple prepared for marriage in Rye on January 6, 1945. After his honorable discharge at the end of World War II, Mr. Haven, Connecticut. There, the couple's first child, George Walker Bush, was born on July 6, 1946. The dawn of George H.W. Bush’s political career saw the family move to various locations, including Texas, as he pursued opportunities in the oil industry. The family moved to Washington, DC in late 1966 following Mr. Bush’s election to Congress. The Bushes returned home to Houston after the 1976 election, where Mr. Bush began planning his 1980 candidacy for the presidency.
Barbara Bush's personal experiences also shaped her dedication to literacy. She had previously coached her son, Neil, in reading, who was later diagnosed with dyslexia, and believed in family-based approaches to reverse illiteracy trends. She also experienced personal tragedies, including the death of her mother, Pauline, and the loss of her three-year-old daughter, Robin, to leukemia. These experiences instilled in her a deep sense of compassion and a desire to help others.
The Genesis of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
During Barbara Bush's time as second lady, while her husband was Vice President of the United States, she took an interest in literacy issues. Barbara Bush was also inspired by a literacy conference in November 1988, organized by her chief of staff, Susan Porter Rose. The conference hosted Loretta Lynn and other notable people, and after the night was over, Barbara Bush, wanted to create a foundation that would "break the intergenerational cycle of illiteracy." As First Lady, Mrs. Bush brought literacy to the attention of our country, calling it “the most important issue we have.” Six weeks after her husband's inauguration, on March 6, 1989, she announced the establishment of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, during a White House luncheon.
The foundation's mission is "building a stronger, more equitable America through literacy." It is registered as a public charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The founding chair was Joan Abrahamson, and Barbara Bush served as honorary chairperson until 2012.
Read also: Finding Internships in Santa Barbara
Key Initiatives and Programs
The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy has been involved in numerous initiatives and programs aimed at promoting literacy across the United States. Some of the key initiatives include:
- Grantmaking: The Foundation provides grants to national and community-based organizations that support family literacy programs.
- Awareness Campaigns: The Foundation has launched media programs to raise awareness of the basic need for every citizen to be able to read.
- Partnerships: The Foundation has partnered with various organizations, including Talk With Me Baby, to expand "Language Nutrition" resources nationwide.
- Adult Literacy XPRIZE: With support from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, the Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE was held during 2015 to 2019.
- Voices for Literacy: In February 2017, the Foundation announced the creation of Voices for Literacy. Four other organizations joined the Foundation with a commitment to improve the lives of both children and adults through literacy.
- National Action Plan for Adult Literacy: Conceived and convened by the Barbara Bush Foundation, the first-ever National Action Plan for Adult Literacy was developed in collaboration with more than 100 expert stakeholders including representatives from corporations and foundations; community organizations and associations; federal, state and local governments; academic experts; and edtech leaders. This multisector, multiyear initiative aims to transform adult and family literacy for millions of Americans by driving inclusive, collective action to address systemic challenges over the next five years.
The Impact of Literacy on Individuals and the Economy
The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy recognizes that literacy is not just about reading and writing; it is a fundamental skill that impacts individuals, families, and communities in profound ways. Literacy levels are inextricably linked to nearly every community metric including income, education, crime, health, economic vitality, civic engagement, generational poverty, and more.
According to a study by Gallup, increasing literacy levels could increase the gross domestic product by 10%, generating an additional $2.2 trillion in annual income, by enabling greater literacy for the 54% of Americans reading below a sixth-grade level nationwide. The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy also released its "Gap Map" data tool in 2020 to illustrate the intersectionality of literacy with American health, income and education.
A Shift in Strategy: The Barbara Bush Fund for Family Literacy
In recent years, the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy has undergone a strategic shift. As a result, the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy will soon evolve into the Barbara Bush Fund for Family Literacy at the George & Barbara Bush Foundation. Rather than operating its own family literacy programs, the Fund will amplify its impact by investing in existing well-respected national and community-based organizations.
This transition represents a return to the roots of Mom’s literacy work: providing direct support to reach the families and communities most in need,” Koch said in a statement. The George & Barbara Bush Foundation is proud to serve as the strategic partner in this new chapter, helping ensure that Barbara Bush is forever remembered for her strength, abounding love for family, quick wit, and deep commitment to family literacy.
Read also: Getting into UC Santa Barbara with ACT Scores
Barbara Bush's Personal Touch
Beyond her work with the Foundation, Barbara Bush was personally involved in promoting literacy. She appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss the situation and spoke regularly on Mrs. Bush became involved with literacy organizations, served on literacy committees and chaired reading organizations, and helped develop the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. She also stressed the importance of reading aloud to children.
Some funding came from a book, credited to the Bushes' dog Millie but ghostwritten by Barbara Bush, Millie's Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush. Royalties from 'Millie's Book' Top $1 Million". Associated Press News. 10 July 1991.
Read also: Spirit and Symbolism at UCSB
tags: #Barbara #Bush #education #and #literacy #foundation
