Barbara Bush passed away last Tuesday at 92 due to her "failing health." Bush was the wife of George H.W. Bush and the mother of George W. Bush, who were both presidents. Additionally, she was the mother of Jeb Bush, a former governor of Florida.
Barbara Bush started The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy to improve the lives of disadvantaged families by teaching kids and parents how to read. Additionally, she promoted AIDS awareness, even when it was heavily stigmatized in the late '80s and early '90s.
Although Bush did not face much criticism in the public eye, she was outspoken in interviews and did not conform to society's expectations of her appearance. She was known as "everybody's grandmother" with her premature white hair and famous faux pearl necklace.
While her husband and two sons were campaigning for the presidency, she was supportive and made speeches for them. After Mrs. Bush's funeral, Bush Sr. was hospitalized. Newspapers are running headlines that he may be suffering from a broken heart, as the pair was married for 73 years. However, Bush Sr. was officially admitted to the ICU for a blood infection.
Questions you may answer:
- How do you think first ladies should use their influence while their husbands are in office?
- What are some of the most notable programs that other first ladies have started?
- (Do you think suffering from a broken heart is real?)
Sources
Washington Post
NY Times
3 comments:
I think that the first lady should serve alongside the president. They should use their influence to not only help the president achieve his mission, but also make an impact themselves on the society. They deserve to play a proactive role in government especially because their husbands probably would not have made it to this stage without their help. I think that first ladies have done some remarkable things. For example, Michelle Obama started multiple programs that allowed children to become more healthy and her "war" against obesity has been influential in modern-day society where processed/fast food is easily accessible. I'm also pretty sure that in the very early presidencies, John Adams's and Washington's wives were crucial in helping their husbands enact policies. As for your comment about the broken heart, it is totally possible that stress could've contributed to Bush Sr's blood infection, but I don't think that a broken heart is actually a thing.
Being the first lady to a president gives one an enormous amount of political influence as she will probably have the backing of the president and their goals will act in tandem. Branching off the president's platform, she may enact social change in areas that aren't covered by current policy, or areas that she finds lacking. Michelle Obama's initiative to curb the growing obesity rates, like Kamal has said, was not a direct goal of Obama's policy; rather, it is something that she has fought for herself. It was an area lacking in Obama's platform and as a result the presidency has had a more positive outcome than without the role of the first lady. Interestingly, Broken Heart Syndrome is actually a condition in which too much stress from emotional loss can lead to many other health diseases. I would say that Bush having heart conditions as a result is definitely possible after all it is not unexpected that he is stressed.
Even though first ladies are not elected officials, I think it's important for them to be politically active. Michelle Obama made her impact felt fighting to combat issues such as childhood obesity and poverty. First ladies are in a unique position, as they have tremendous political power despite not being "elected" to their position. Nonetheless, they can and should remain active in helping their husbands enact policy. As far as Bush having a "broken heart" -- I definitely believe his wife's illness could contribute to his condition, but I'm sure there were other factors involved as well.
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