Laura Bush: National Role Model Laura Bush (née Welch) was born in Midland, Texas. Her charismatic father was a successful entrepreneur and homebuilder; her mother possessed a passion for reading that she passed on to her only child. By second grade, the young girl had already chosen her future calling — to be a teacher — and she followed through on that decision when she attended Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, to study elementary education. In 1968, the college grad began teaching second grade throughout Texas. She wanted to make her contribution to the Civil Rights Movement, so she asked to be placed at schools in impoverished areas. After five years at the blackboard, she earned a master's degree at the University of Texas and became a librarian. In 1977, the young professional attended a barbecue hosted by close friends. There she met George W. Bush, a congressional hopeful at the time. The connection was immediate; just three months later, the two were married. After t
