Washington, DC – The National Archives Foundation names former First Lady Laura Bush as the 2018 recipient of its Records of Achievement Award in recognition of her dedication and commitment to building a literate and civically engaged global community. Laura Bush will receive the award at the Foundation’s annual Gala, held at the National Archives in Washington, DC, on Wednesday October 10, 2018.

Tickets are available at: archivesfoundation.org/2018-gala.

The Records of Achievement Award is the highest honor given by the National Archives Foundation to an individual whose contributions have fostered a broader national awareness of the history and heritage of the United States as exemplified in National Archives’ records.

Previous recipients of the Foundation’s awards include: Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Ken Burns, John Hope Franklin, Annette Gordon Reed, David Rubenstein, David McCullough, Robert Edsel, Taylor Branch, the creators of “Hamilton”: Ron Chernow, Thomas Kail, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

As First Lady, Mrs. Laura Bush educated, enriched, and inspired children to have a deeper appreciation for our country, and to preserve its natural and historical heritage. Currently, through the work of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Mrs. Bush continues to develop leaders, advance policy, and take action to solve today’s most pressing challenges.

“Laura Bush has long been a tireless and effective advocate for literacy and education,” said National Archives Foundation Chair James Blanchard. “Her tireless dedication to education and literacy embodies the spirit of the Records of Achievement Award.”

“First Lady Laura Bush’s unwavering support of civic literacy and education, passion for education, and unyielding commitment to female empowerment make her both an obvious choice for this award, and for the launch our women’s vote centennial celebration,” said Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero.  

“Personally, I’m delighted to honor a fellow librarian!  People may be surprised to learn how much we have in common: we studied for our Masters in Library Science at the same time, relocated to DC for Executive branch positions on Pennsylvania Ave, and proudly champion our nation’s history,” Ferriero added.

The 2018 Records of Achievement Award Ceremony and Gala is made possible in part by AT&T, Governor Jim and Janet Blanchard, and Edgeworth Economics.

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About Laura Bush

Laura Bush, former First Lady of the United States, is champion for literacy, education, and women’s rights. As First Lady, Mrs. Bush advocated the importance of literacy and education to advance opportunity for America’s young people and to foster healthy families and communities. She highlighted the importance of preparing children to become lifelong learners, convening a White House Summit in 2001 on Early Childhood Cognitive Development. Since 2003, she has served as the Honorary Ambassador for the United Nations Literacy Decade. Laura Bush visited schools and met with students in nations from Afghanistan to Zambia, with a particular focus on the education of girls and women. Mrs. Bush worked with the Library of Congress to create the National Book Festival in 2001. The National Book Festival continues to this day and annually attracts more than 120,000 Americans. The Texas Book Festival in Austin was founded in 1996 by Mrs. Bush while she was First Lady of Texas. At the Bush Institute in Dallas, President and Mrs. Bush’s Education Reform initiative works to improve student achievement through effective school leadership, middle school transformation, and the use of accountability.

Mrs. Bush is the author of the bestselling memoir, Spoken From the Heart, and bestselling children’s book, Our Great Big Backyard. She serves on many boards, including the SMU Board of Trustees, the Council for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Board of Trustees for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Laura Bush holds a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Southern Methodist University and a master’s degree in library science from the University of Texas. She taught in public schools in Dallas, Houston and Austin and worked as a public school librarian. She served as First Lady of Texas from 1995 to 2000.

About the National Archives Foundation

The National Archives Foundation is an independent nonprofit that increases public awareness of the National Archives, inspires a deeper appreciation of our country’s heritage, and encourages citizen engagement in our democracy. The Foundation generates financial and creative support for National Archives exhibitions, public programs, and educational initiatives, introducing America’s records to people around the U.S. and the world. Learn more at: archivesfoundation.org.

About the National Archives

The National Archives is an independent federal agency that serves American democracy by safeguarding and preserving the records of our Government, so people can discover, use, and learn from this documentary heritage. The National Archives ensures continuing access to the essential documentation of the rights of American citizens and the actions of their government. From the Declaration of Independence to accounts of ordinary Americans, the holdings of the National Archives directly touch the lives of millions of people. The National Archives carries out its mission through a nationwide network of archives, records centers, and Presidential Libraries, and on the Internet at: archives.gov.