A Chance Encounter With Barbara Bush

East Wing Magazine reader shares her story of meeting the former first lady and its lasting impact.

Former First Lady Barbara Bush is introduced to Laurie Luongo (right) while speaking out about literacy on a stop in Seattle in 1989. (Photo courtesy of Laurie Luongo)  

In early July 1989, Laurie Luongo had a chance encounter with then First Lady Barbara Bush, wife of George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States. The experience took place one afternoon at the Westin Seattle, a hotel where Bush was staying and where Luongo had worked. At the time, Luongo recalls that Bush had been giving a talk on literacy not long after the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy was established in March of 1989. It was a moment that made a lasting impression on Luongo and, ultimately, reshaped her perspective on the often unseen work of presidential first ladies. Luongo shares that story and its lasting impact with East Wing Magazine.

What were the circumstances surrounding your encounter with former First Lady Barbara Bush? 

I was involved in literacy so I asked my supervisor if I c…