All Publications

• November 30, 2018

  An Oral History of PEPFAR: How a "Dream Big" Partnership is Saving the Lives of Millions

  Resources & Reports
• November 30, 2018

  An Oral History of PEPFAR: How a "Dream Big" Partnership is Saving the Lives of Millions

  Resources & Reports
• 5

  November 30, 2018

  Questioning the continued relevance of PEPFAR is dangerous thinking by Crystal Cazier

  17 million lives have been saved thanks to the resolve of national governments, investments by PEPFAR, and support of many. But this is not time to quit.

  Article

  Top Story
• 11

  November 26, 2018

  Policy Recommendations: Modernizing Immigration for Today's Realities by Laura Collins, Matthew Denhart

  Modernizing America's immigration system to meet today's realities

  Article

  Top Story
• November 26, 2018

  What's Next: 2019 Policy Recommendations

  Recommendations in global leadership and domestic excellence from George W. Bush Institute experts.

  Resources & Reports
• 7

  November 26, 2018

  Policy Recommendations: Our Role in Central America's Economic Growth

  Reinforcing America's security through economic growth in Central America

  Article

  Top Story
• 9

  November 26, 2018

  Policy Recommendations: Investing in Democracy in Burma by Christopher Walsh, Jieun Pyun

  Burma: Now is the time to invest in democracy and achieve lasting peace

  Article

  Top Story
• 6

  November 26, 2018

  Policy Recommendations: Developing the Next Generation by Anne Wicks

  Aligning time, people, and money will allow states to better serve their students

  Article

  Top Story
• 10

  November 26, 2018

  Policy Recommendations: America's Leadership on Democracy Matters by Lindsay Lloyd

  America's Leadership on Democracy and Human Rights Matters

  Article

  Top Story
• 9

  November 26, 2018

  Policy Recommendations: Bolstering America's Economy through Trade

  Strengthening North America strengthens the United States

  Article

  Top Story
• 10

  November 26, 2018

  Policy Recommendations: Improving Health and Security Around the World by Holly Kuzmich, Crystal Cazier

  Global health -- it's no time to quit

  Article

  Top Story
• 7

  November 26, 2018

  Policy Recommendations: North Korean Human Rights Critical to Denuclearization by Victor Cha

  Focus on human rights essential to making progress with North Korea

  Article

  Top Story
• 7

  November 26, 2018

  Policy Recommendations: Empowering Women Worldwide by Natalie Gonnella-Platts, Farhat Popal

  Advancing the rights of women in the Middle East, North Africa, and the world

  Article

  Top Story
• 8

  November 26, 2018

  Policy Recommendations: Veterans' Health and Well-being by Colonel Matthew F. Amidon, USMCR, Kacie Kelly

  Supporting veterans' health and well-being is in America's best interest

  Article

  Top Story
• 4

  November 20, 2018

  An Economist's Thanksgiving List by J.H. Cullum Clark

  We should spare a moment to be thankful for the remarkable prosperity of our country, and for the American institutions we sometimes take for granted that sustain our economic growth.

  Article

  Top Story
• 6

  November 19, 2018

  Stand-To: A Long Journey Traveled…and It’s Only The Beginning

  Stand-To graduate Duane France reflects on his time with the inaugural class of the Veteran Leadership Program and their shared work ahead.

  Article

  Top Story
• 3

  November 19, 2018

  Stop Inflaming, Start Informing by Colonel Matthew F. Amidon, USMCR

  Broken narratives and false information about the invisible wounds of war only hurt our veterans.

  Article

  Top Story
• 9

  November 16, 2018

  Strengthen America's Democracy with More Democracy

  by Lindsay Lloyd

  As America's young and nonwhite population grows, many feel they are not benefiting from democracy. Fighting to defend equal rights for all can help restore trust in key democratic institutions for the rising generations of Americans.

  The Catalyst

  Top Story
• 5

  November 16, 2018

  Wins, Losses, and Lessons From the Amazon HQ2 Sweepstakes by J.H. Cullum Clark

  Amazon’s selection of Queens and Arlington will enrich the neighborhoods, generate clear winners and losers in both metro areas, and create a “Sputnik moment” for other cities.

  Article

  Top Story
• 3

  November 16, 2018

  Two-Minute Take: Undeclared North Korea by Victor Cha

  New research released this week by Beyond Parallel and CSIS revealed 13 of an estimated 20 North Korean missile operating bases that are undeclared by the government. Bush Institute Fellow Victor Cha gives his two-minute take.

  Article

  Top Story
• 2

  November 15, 2018

  ICYMI: President and Mrs. Bush Commemorate Veterans Day in Philadelphia

  Photos from the Wharton Square Park in the Point Breeze neighborhood of Philadelphia, the National Constitution Center, and the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys NFL game

  Article

  Top Story
• 13

  November 13, 2018

  The Benefits of Homeownership Mean We Should Still Believe in the American Dream

  by J.H. Cullum Clark

  Home ownership is still an aspiration among a majority of Americans — and the good news is that home and asset ownership is a solid bet to generate and protect middle-class families' wealth. 

  The Catalyst

  Top Story
• 19

  November 13, 2018

  Is America's Democracy Really Working for All?

  by Isabel González Whitaker, Chequan Lewis & Tina Tran

  American democracy remains strong and vibrant, but protecting this strength requires a renewed commitment to ensuring all Americans are receiving equal benefits and opportunities.

  The Catalyst

  Top Story
• 9

  November 13, 2018

  Education Is the Catapult Into the Middle Class

  by Anne Wicks

  Education can help children struggling in poverty but only if school boards and policymakers work together to provide options and improvements in low-income school districts.

  The Catalyst

  Top Story
• 

  July 12, 2018

  Ep. 11 The Controversies of Julia Gardiner Tyler

  The media loved airing Julia Gardiner Tyler’s dirty laundry and after leaving the White House she fought to reclaim her title of first lady. Dr. Christopher Leahy and his wife and fellow historian, Sharon Williams Leahy, spoke with us about one of America’s most vivacious and strong-minded first ladies.

  Podcast Episode

  Top Story
• 

  June 21, 2018

  Ep. 10 Clementine Churchill: The Woman Behind the “British Bulldog”

  Sir Winston Churchill remains one of the most well-known world leaders, but few realize the impact his wife had on his political career. Clementine Churchill both tamed and empowered the “British Bulldog”. We spoke with Sonia Purnell, author of Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill, to understand Clementine’s leadership and legacy.

  Podcast Episode

  Top Story
• 

  June 7, 2018

  Ep. 9 Service Above Self– The Leadership of Barbara Bush

  Barbara Bush’s dedication to faith, family, and friends captured the hearts of Americans. We sat down for a conversation with her daughter, Doro Bush Koch, to celebrate a first lady and family matriarch who had an unwavering devotion to the United States and a commitment to service over self.

  Podcast Episode

  Top Story
• 

  May 18, 2018

  Ep. 8 The Celebrity Status of a First Lady

  When Frances Clara Folsom married President Stephen Grover Cleveland on June 2nd, 1886, the media descended upon Washington. Frances garnered attention and scrutiny that no first family had seen before. A few years later, Edith Roosevelt, with six-children in tow, drew the line between her private and public life. We chatted with White House Historical Association Senior Historian Dr. Matthew Costello to understand the evolution of public intrigue around first spouses.

  Podcast Episode

  Top Story
• 

  May 7, 2018

  Ep. 7: Dolley Madison, The Political Genius

  Bridging political divides, Dolley Madison and her fellow political spouses taught our politicians a thing or two about civility, manners, and the art of conversation. We chatted with Massachusetts Historical Society President Dr. Catherine Allgor about our early first ladies, in particular, Dolley Madison.  

  Podcast Episode

  Top Story
• 

  April 13, 2018

  Ep. 6: The Power of Collaboration

  The community of first ladies may be small, but it is powerful. The women who make up this group understand its uniqueness and collaborate to amplify critical issues. We revisited conversations with Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, and Cherie Blair to explore how first ladies work together to draw attention to vulnerable populations. 

  Podcast Episode

  Top Story
• 

  April 2, 2018

  Ep. 5: From Galas to Garden Parties: The White House Social Scene

  Easter Egg Rolls, picnics, and dinners at the White House may not sound like urgent matters, but they are opportunities to reach across the aisle and build relationships thanks to the influence of first ladies. We chatted with co-author of Treating People Well and former White House Social Secretary Lea Berman about our nation's most well-known hostesses.

  Podcast Episode

  Top Story
• 

  March 19, 2018

  Ep. 4: Laura Bush and the Policy of Compassion

  On Sept. 11, 2001 the United States was forever changed. It marked the beginning of a new chapter for the presidency and American history. The public eye turned to Afghanistan and Mrs. Laura Bush used her voice to be an advocate for those who were silenced. We sat down with Mrs. Bush to learn more about her commitment to improving the lives of others.  

  Podcast Episode

  Top Story
• 

  March 19, 2018

  Ep. 3: Jackie Kennedy and the Art of Soft Power

  While Jacqueline Kennedy is credited with changing the fashion industry, she also modernized the Office of First Lady. If we look beyond the fashion headlines and extravagant events, we find that Jackie used soft power to influence and advance policy. We chatted with Dr. Elizabeth Natalle, author of Jacqueline Kennedy and the Architecture of First Lady Diplomacy to learn more about Jackie's use of soft power. 

  Podcast Episode

  Top Story
• 

  March 5, 2018

  Ep. 2: Hollywood and Florence Harding’s Legacy

  When most people think of first ladies who were activists, they look to women like Eleanor Roosevelt, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama. But, women like Florence Harding, Nellie Taft, and Ellen Wilson warrant greater attention for how they challenged the status quo. We spoke with Dr. Katherine Sibley, author of First Lady Florence Harding: Behind the Tragedy and Controversy about how the early 20th century first ladies paved the way for those to follow. 

  Podcast Episode

  Top Story
• 

  March 5, 2018

  Ep. 1: A Role Without a Rulebook

  From Martha Washington to Melania Trump, each first lady has changed, and is changing, the role for the first ladies that follow them. We chatted with Anita McBride, executive-in-residence at the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies in the School of Public Affairs at American University and Mrs. Bush’s former chief of staff, about navigating the role without a rulebook. Join us as we celebrate their leadership, their journeys, and the evolution of the role of first ladies. 

  Podcast Episode

  Top Story
• 

  March 5, 2018

  Episode 0: Introduction

  On March 5th the George W. Bush Institute is launching its first podcast, Ladies, First, hosted by Natalie Gonnella-Platts, Deputy Director of the Bush Institute's Women's Initiative. There is so much more to the elite sorority of first ladies than fashion and state dinners, and this podcast and its lineup of guest experts will explore this reality. 

  Podcast Episode

  Top Story