Immediate Release
April 17, 2018

IWF Statement on Former First Lady Barbara Bush

Washington, DC – Charlotte Hays, Director of Cultural Programs at Independent Women's Forum, issued the following statement on the death of former First Lady Barbara Bush, who died April 17, 2018, in Houston, Texas:

"Independent Women's Forum extends our condolences to the family of former First Lady Barbara Bush."

"Mrs. Bush, who served as First Lady from 1989 to 1993, was universally admired for her forthrightness and ability to put people at ease."

"Despite her aristocratic origins, Mrs. Bush was unpretentious, and her country loved her for it. She made no pretenses about her trademark fake pearls and delighted in the 'America's grandmother' image conferred by her mane of white hair."

"She firmly believed that literacy was the key to solving many national problems and improving the lives of disadvantaged Americans. To that end, she established and worked hard for The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy."

"She was essential to President George H. W. Bush's career, both as a politician and a transplanted Texan building a career in the oil business, and exerted an important influence on President George W. Bush, who sometimes traced his outspokenness to his mother."

"Our hearts go out to the Bush family at the loss of this wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and to the country for the loss of this model First Lady."

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Independent Women's Forum works to improve the lives of Americans by increasing the number of women who value free-markets and personal liberty.