Charity Wallace, the former Chief of Staff to Laura W. Bush and inaugural program director of the women’s initiative at The George W. Bush...
Charity Wallace, the former Chief of Staff to Laura W. Bush and inaugural program director of the women’s initiative at The George W. Bush Institute, will participate in the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) delegation to observe Jordan’s parliamentary elections on November 9, 2010. Wallace joins Peter T. Madigan, vice chairman of IRI’s board of directors, and other delegates, as the first group of international witnesses as Jordan opens its elections for the first time.
This is the first international trip Wallace will take as director of the women’s initiative, a role she began this fall. Wallace brings to the position a passion for women’s empowerment and women’s rights, and will be responsible for creating the programming for the women’s initiative moving forward.
“The best way to expand freedom and opportunity around the world is to educate and empower women and girls,” said Mrs. Laura W. Bush. “As program director, Charity will oversee the Bush Institute’s work to help women build stronger communities by enhancing their educational, health and economic opportunities.”
An important focus of the women’s initiative will be to ensure women around the world are fully represented in the election process, as voters and as candidates, particularly in the Middle East. Among many efforts, Wallace will work to build a partnership for the future with the IRI to further women’s empowerment.
“As the program director for the Women’s Initiative, my primary goal is to see that the Bush Institute is working to help women and girls transform their communities and their countries into better, safer and healthier places to live,” said Wallace. “Observing the elections in Jordan will be a wonderful opportunity to ensure women join all Jordanian citizens in fully participating in the democratic process.”
Prior to being named as program director for the Women’s Initiative, Wallace served as Chief of Staff to Mrs. Bush. In this role she managed the team that supports Mrs. Bush and oversaw all policies and initiatives championed by Mrs. Bush as First Lady of the United States, including international and domestic policies related to education and literacy, human rights, women’s empowerment, health, historic preservation, national parks, and arts and culture. She previously served as Deputy Chief of Protocol of the United States during the George W. Bush Administration.
“Charity Wallace has served Mrs. Bush with excellence and zeal,” said James K. Glassman, executive director of the Bush Institute. “The women’s initiative cuts across all areas of engagement at the Bush Institute and we are excited to have Charity as our first program director.”
About the George W. Bush Institute: The George W. Bush Institute’s mission is to unleash human potential around the world through expanding human freedom, educational reform, global health, and economic growth. In all its programming, the Institute seeks to empower women and social entrepreneurs as proven agents of change in society. The Institute is part of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the Presidential library, located on the campus of SMU in Dallas. For more information, please visit www.bushcenter.com.
