Barbara Bush Commemorative Postal Stamp Unveiled at the White House
Melania Trump paid tribute to the former first lady and her 1990 Wellesley College remarks about a future female president.
From the podium in the East Room of the White House, Dorothy Bush Koch on Thursday stood in front of the newly unveiled commemorative United States postal stamp of her mother, former First Lady Barbara Bush, and paused mid-sentence to hold back her tears.
“At just 16 years old, mom met the only man she would ever kiss,” she said of her parents, George H.W. Bush (the 41st president of the United States ) and his wife of 73 years, before choking up.
She went on to finish her sentence explaining how they met at a school dance and two years later were married. That, she said, began a “partnership that would span decades” creating a life encompassing six children, 21 grandchildren, 27 moves, seven wars, three dress sizes, two governors, seven parachute jumps and two presidents.
“The stamp perfectly captures mom’s poise and dignity,” Koch said at a ceremony hosted by First Lady Melania Trump and attended by officials from the U.S. Postal Service, the George and Barbara Bush Foundation, the former first lady’s son and fourth child, Neil Bush. Former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush were not in attendance.
Mrs. Trump’s remarks highlighted Barbara Bush’s impact on the nation with her devotion to family, literacy, and service.
“Barbara’s unwavering conviction, dignity, and deep loyalty to her loved ones have left an indelible mark on our hearts and history,” said Mrs. Trump. “May this tribute inspire us to lead with compassion, act with strength, and uphold the values that direct us toward a meaningful existence.”
Mrs. Trump specifically noted Barbara Bush’s memorable commencement address at Wellesley College in 1990 and how her message, which emphasized the importance of family and personal integrity, encouraged women to carve their own paths in life.
“Mrs. Bush exclaimed, ‘Your success as a family—our success as a society—depends not on what happens in the White House, but on what happens inside your house.’ The first lady further inspired her audience by highlighting the importance of pursuing personal dreams, stating, ‘The winner of the hoop race will be the first to realize her dream. Not society’s dreams, her own personal dream. Who knows—somewhere out in this audience may even be someone who will one day follow in my footsteps and preside over the White House, and I wish him well.’”
Mrs. Trump reciting Mrs. Bush’s notable lines from the speech drew a round of laughter from the East Room. The interesting commentary came just months after the second female Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, lost her bid to the White House to Donald Trump.
“Over 35 years have passed since Barbara Bush made the call for a female American president, a reflection of her forward-thinking vision,” Mrs. Trump said. “As a devoted mother and one of only two first ladies whose son also ascended to the presidency, she embodied the complex interplay of ambition and identity that defines us all.”
The Barbara Bush stamp is based on detail from the official 2005 White House portrait painted by Chas Fagan, which is part of the White House Collection and appears courtesy of The White House Historical Association.
Barbara Bush’s legacy is marked by moments including in 1989 when she visited a hospital where she held a child dying of AIDS in her hope to destigmatize the disease by showing her compassion for the child. The former first lady also championed literacy in children and adults in her successful efforts of passing the landmark National Literacy Act of 1991 that coordinated and integrated federal, state and local literacy programs. And, Barbara Bush’s legacy in literacy thrives with the continued work of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy helping both children and adults.
“I applaud Mrs. Bush’s mark defending our society’s vital need for women across all avenues, whether CEO or homemaker. We have, can, and will build better families and run innovative businesses at the same time, ultimately shaping a brighter future,” Mrs. Trump said.
The stamp is being issued in panes of 20. Presale of the Barbara Bush Commemorative stamp will begin on Saturday, May 10.
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