Incoming and outgoing first ladies of the United States often exchange gifts during the inauguration, and many people have wondered, what did Mitchell Obama give Laura Bush?
Laura Bush and Mitchell Obama always had a complicated relationship that reeled many people’s curiosities. They took office in subsequent terms, and each seemed to relate well to the other.
Mrs. Obama, at some point, spoke of Laura as her role model, but what impacts have they made in the US and worldwide? We will go into all these details, so let us find out more;
What Did Michelle Obama Give Laura Bush?
Incoming First Lady Michelle Obama gave a boxed gift to outgoing First Lady Laura Bush on Inauguration Day in January 2009.
The specific contents of the box are unclear, but most sources suggest it was a writing pen and a journal book imprinted with today’s date – for Mrs. Bush to start her memoirs on this next chapter of her life.
Obama made the gesture in recognition of the kindness and support Mrs. Bush had given Mrs. Obama in the campaign and the coming into power.
Laura Bush’s Contributions and Impacts in the US
George Bush’s presidential term had its fair share of controversies that might have cast a shadow over all the fantastic things the First Lady did.
Laura Bush might have been working behind the scenes, but she made a massive difference to many people, especially women and young girls.
During her eight years in the White House, Mrs. Laura Bush was a champion of President Bush’s ambitious agenda and a gracious spokesperson for the American people. She stood by her husband through many turbulent periods, and the duo made a lasting impact.
She is a former teacher and librarian dedicated to increasing Education and improving the well-being of women and families worldwide.
Her special interest in women and young girls is the source of her most significant impact on communities globally.
Mrs. Bush was a vocal supporter of the President’s landmark education reform, the No Child Left Behind Act, and the NCLB’s Literacy First program, the largest early literacy campaign in American history.
During her first term, the President introduced “Ready to Read, Ready to Learn,” an education campaign that promoted best practices in early childhood education and boosted awareness of innovative teacher training programs.
Mrs. Bush launched the National Book Festival in response to her success with the Texas Book Festival, to introduce tens of thousands of Americans to their favorite authors each year.
Mrs. Bush accepted the invitation to take her education message global as an honorary ambassador for the UN Literacy Decade in 2003.
In this capacity, she has collaborated with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization to promote measurable worldwide literacy programs. These programs helped educate children in impoverished and developing countries.
Beginning with the first-ever White House Conference on Global Literacy in 2006, she invited world leaders to annual summits encouraging effective practices.
Mrs. Bush has visited schools and interacted with students in countries ranging from Afghanistan to Zambia, with a particular emphasis on encouraging girls and women to seek Education. Most of her work was focused on countries where women were oppressed and uneducated.
Mrs. Bush supervised 10 Federal departments in a breakthrough cooperation that accomplished the objective of President Bush’s Management Agenda as the leader of President Bush’s Helping America’s Youth project.
Helping America’s Youth educated over 1,000 community members on new ways to address the needs of at-risk youth through a national conference in Washington and six regional conferences.
Mrs. Bush has been an outspoken advocate of Afghan women since the September 11th attacks. She became the first First Lady to deliver the President’s weekly radio speech in November 2001, speaking out against the Taliban’s abuse of women and children.
She has visited Afghanistan three times and served as the honorary chair of the United States-Afghan Women’s Council.
Mrs. Bush has been a vocal supporter of human rights in Burma. With a roundtable discussion at the UN headquarters in 2006, she drew global attention to the junta’s oppression.
Mrs. Bush also visited the Thai-Burma border, where she spoke with refugees fleeing the horrors of Burma’s military administration. Mrs. Bush has visited all 50 states and over 75 countries.
She has been to Africa five times to assist President Bush’s life-saving global health efforts, including the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
She observed the accomplishment of these historic commitments firsthand through travels to 10 of the 15 PMI nations and 12 of the 15 PEPFAR countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
In 2006, she co-hosted the first-ever White House Summit on Malaria, which helped boost malaria awareness and promote grassroots efforts to eradicate the illness. Malaria was mostly a concern for low-income countries in Africa and other parts of the world.
By promoting awareness of breast cancer and heart disease, Mrs. Bush has assisted thousands of women in taking control of their health.
Mrs. Bush visited the country as an Ambassador for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Heart Truth campaign.
The purpose of the visit was to educate women about the symptoms of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death among American women.
Mrs. Bush also assisted in the formation of the US-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research and the Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research of the Americas.
These organizations pooled the resources of researchers and advocates from the US and worldwide.
The awareness and research helped thousands of women in the US and worldwide and won a few battles against cancer.
Michelle Obama’s Contributions and Legacy in the US
Barrack Obama led one of the most successful presidencies in the US for a long time, and the First Lady did not disappoint.
Michelle went above and beyond to make a difference during her time in office, focusing on community development.
She led an eventful life and shared a beautiful love story with Barrack, but it all seems small compared to her achievements as first lady.
She was highly educated, intelligent, and a people person who would use her charm and intellect to make a difference everywhere she went.
Michelle Robinson, a product of Chicago public schools, attended Princeton University and majored in sociology and African-American studies.
She joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin after graduating from Harvard Law School in 1988 when she met Barack Obama, the man who would become her life’s love.
After a few years, Mrs. Obama realized she aimed to work with individuals to assist their neighborhoods and neighbors.
This would grow into her passion for community service and development, contributing to most of her achievements.
She worked in Chicago City Hall as an assistant commissioner of planning and development before becoming the founding executive director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies.
This was an AmeriCorps program that prepares youngsters for public service. Mrs. Obama joined the University of Chicago in 1996 to unite the university and community.
As Associate Dean of Student Services, she created the university’s first community service program, and as Vice President of Community and External Affairs for the University of Chicago Medical Center, she increased volunteerism dramatically.
During her tenure as First Lady, Mrs. Obama has continued to promote and inspire young people.
She founded Let’s Move! in 2010, bringing together community leaders, educators, medical experts, parents, and others in a statewide effort to combat juvenile obesity.
Let’s Move! had a lofty goal: to end the pediatric obesity crisis within a generation.
It was focused on giving caregivers the support they need to make better choices for their children.
This included providing nutritious food in schools, encouraging kids to be more physically active, and persuading companies to advertise healthier foods to children.
Mrs. Obama started the “Reach Higher” Initiative in 2014. It was an attempt to motivate young people across the country to take ownership of their destiny by continuing their Education after high school.
It was beneficial at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university. Educating the younger generation is the best way to make lasting change; Mrs. Obama understood this.
“Reach Higher” exposes pupils to college and professional opportunities to ensure that all students acquire the skills they need to complete their Education.
This aided them in understanding financial aid eligibility, encouraging academic planning and summer learning options, and assisting high school counselors in their important work to help students get into college.
Conclusion
For those wondering, What did Michelle Obama give Laura Bush? You now know it was a pen and a journal book for Laura Bush to write her next life chapter.
This was a gesture of friendship and goodwill from the incoming first lady, as is tradition in the US.
Both Laura Bush and Michelle Obama had good times as first ladies of the United States and used their positions to make a difference.
Laura was focused on Education for women, and Michelle Obama concentrated on community development, but both made a significant impact.
