Clinton Global Initiative Poised to Celebrate 20th Year
Plus, the National First Ladies Library & Museum debuts on-the-road programs in Florida and Arizona.

The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) has announced for its 20th anniversary meeting scheduled in September that it will include in its 2025 programming the following topics:
Making renewable energy cheaper and faster; health financing and innovation; using targeted investments to address the mental health crisis;
New emphasis on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies that can provide economic benefits while accelerating social good; and
Commitments to address humanitarian response and infrastructure rebuilding in the wake of natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, including the fires in California.
Former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and daughter Chelsea Clinton kicked off the 20th anniversary of CGI last moth, calling leaders from business, government, and civil society together for a meeting this year focused on what’s working, and how we can bridge divides to solve our most urgent crises.
“This year will be a time to celebrate the progress and impact we’ve made together. But the focus at the Annual Meeting won’t be the last 20 years—it’ll be on the needs of today and your ideas for tomorrow,” Bill Clinton wrote in a letter to the CGI community about this year’s event.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2005, Bill Clinton announced that he would be convening the first CGI meeting that September, timed to the U.N. General Assembly, with the requirement that attendees make a commitment to act on a pressing global challenge. Since then, more than 500 million people in more than 190 countries have had their lives improved by more than 4,100 Commitments to Action launched through CGI.
Since 2005, more than 10,000 partners have made Commitments to Action on urgent global challenges, including major initiatives launched by Cisco, Coca-Cola, Mastercard, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Walmart, according to CGI.
The CGI 2025 Annual Meeting to be held September 24-25 in New York City. More information can be found here.

The National First Ladies Library & Museum Debuts New On-the-road Program in Florida
The Canton, Ohio-based National First Ladies Library & Museum debuted programming on the road in Naples, Florida, last month featuring a sit-down brunch and intimate discussion with keynote speaker Anita McBride, former chief of staff to former First Lady Laura Bush and co-author of Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women.
The event, “Fabulous First Ladies Brunch,” was a fund-raiser for the National First Ladies Library & Museum at the First Ladies National Historic Site, with Patty Dowd Schmitz, president and CEO, moderating. Audience members listened to untold stories of America’s first ladies from McBride. It also included an exclusive, personal video message from Mrs. Bush to guests in attendance.

The National First Ladies Library & Museum will be hosting programs in two stops in Arizona later this month. Stops are scheduled in Tempe and Tucson.
Calendar
Feb. 12, 2025
Virtual: Talk With a Curator
The National First Ladies Library & Museum at the First Ladies National Historic Site in Canton, Ohio, presents the virtual program “Talk with a Curator” on February 12, 2025, where stories of America’s first ladies will be led by Michelle Gullion, senior director of Collections & Research at the National First Ladies Library & Museum. This behind-the-scenes experience will explore treasures from its renowned collection, from fashion to personal artifacts that reveal the legacies of these remarkable women. Gullion will share how items are preserved and protected, offering fascinating insights into the history and the craft of conservation. Read more
Feb. 18, 2025
National First Ladies: On the Road with the Arizona Historical Society in Tempe
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents an in-person, lunchtime program bringing the fascinating stories of America’s First Ladies to Arizona. Discover untold stories of these accomplished women who left an indelible mark on the country—not just as first ladies, but as trailblazers throughout their lives. Read more
Feb. 20, 2025
National First Ladies: On the Road in Tucson
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents an in-person, lunchtime program bringing the fascinating stories of America’s First Ladies to Tucson, Arizona. Join the Arizona History Museum for a captivating program exploring the untold stories of America’s First Ladies. Discover their remarkable contributions to history and unique connections to Arizona, including Helen Taft, who was First Lady when Arizona achieved statehood. Read more
Feb. 22, 2025
Shaking It Up: The Life And Times of Liz Carpenter
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on Feb. 22, 2025, presents a showing of Shaking It Up: The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter followed by a Q&A with her daughter, Christy Carpenter. The auditorium will be open for seating at 12:30 p.m. and the screening will begin at 1 p.m. local time, directly followed by the Q&A. Registration is required.
Over her 89 years, Liz Carpenter was often front and center where history was unfolding, leaving her own indelible mark on some of the most vivid moments and movements that shaped the 20th century. Journalist, vice-presidential advisor, White House official, author, humorist, political activist, and feminist leader—hers is the story of blazing professional trails while pushing forward an agenda for women’s rights, political engagement, and the environment that remains highly relevant today.
This documentary film tells Liz’s story using archival film and still images, interviews from those who knew her, journalists who covered the history as it was made, and scholars who study this remarkable past. Read more

Feb. 27, 2025
Barbara Bush Centennial: Florida Celebration of Reading
The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy will host friends and supporters for the Celebration of Reading in Coral Gables, Florida, featuring authors and guests, including a special conversation with former Gov. Jeb Bush. Authors include Coco Mellors, the New York Times bestselling author of Cleopatra and Frankenstein and Blue Sisters, and Jessica Soffer, author of This Is a Love Story and Tomorrow There Will Be Apricots. This event will be part of the Barbara Bush Centennial—a yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of the former first lady’s and organization’s founder’s birth. Read more
March 8, 2025
EqualiTEA: Women’s History Tea & Tour Program
Enjoy an hour of tea and light bites in Dower House before touring Tudor Place. The program will focus on the women of Tudor Place, with lives and legacies that have spanned American history, as far back as Martha Washington. Read more
March 11, 2025
Women and American Politics Then and Now
The George Washington Presidential Library in Mount Vernon on March 11 from 7 to 8 p.m. will present a panel of experts on women, history, and politics to learn about how figures of the past and today broke barriers to make a mark on our country and, at times, the world.
This event will feature a conversation with author Kate Anderson Brower, historian Catherine Allgor, and journalist Ali Vitali, moderated by Lindsay M. Chervinsky, the Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library.
A book signing and reception with complimentary beer, wine, and hors-d'oeuvres will take place after the discussion. Read more
March 12, 2025
Leading with Purpose: First Ladies in Women’s History
The National First Ladies Library & Museum at the First Ladies National Historic Site in Canton, Ohio, presents a free, online webinar on March 12, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET, with authors Lisa Burns and Teri Finneman for an inspiring Women’s History Month discussion about the evolving role of first ladies. Drawing from their innovative new book, they’ll explore how first ladies have built on one another’s legacies to shape their political, social, and cultural influence. Lisa Burns is a professor of media studies at Quinnipiac University and author of First Ladies and the Fourth Estate. Teri Finneman, is a journalism professor at the University of Kansas, author, and host of The First Ladies Podcast. Read more
March 30, 2025
Sunday in the Park with Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush
The George W. Bush Presidential Center presents an afternoon with America’s favorite sister duo, Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush.
Jenna and Barbara will be reading their new picture book, I Loved You First (published by Hachette Book Group/Little Brown Books for Young Readers). This enchanting story beautifully captures the deep connection between parents and their children, drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature and the love that shapes our most cherished moments. This is a timed entry event. Tickets can be purchased for either 12:30 or 2:00 p.m. local time. A minimum of one book per ticket order is required. Additional books may be purchased. Read more
Through April 1, 2025
Applications Are Open for Obama Voyager Scholarship
The Obama Foundation has announced that applications are now open for its 2025-2027 cohort. Started by former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama and Brian Chesky, the CEO and co-founder of Airbnb, the Voyager Scholarship is an opportunity for college students interested in pursuing a career in public service to see the world, learn more about their chosen field, receive financial support, and connect with a group of young leaders dedicated to important changemaking work. Application deadline is April 1, 2025. Read more
Submit calendar items, announcements and press releases to East Wing Magazine at jtaylor@eastwingmagazine.com.