Mrs. Bush’s literacy efforts were major

One way to honor her memory is to support local programs

Former First Lady Barbara Bush was a force of nature.

She was the second woman in U.S. history to be both a wife and a mother of a U.S. president, following in Abigail Adams’ footsteps. And at the age of 92, she was still very much in love with her husband of 72 years, George H.W. Bush — the longest marriage of any presidential couple in U.S. history. These are the stories we’ve seen much of over the last few days. However, she was also a champion of literacy, starting the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy in 1989, with the goal of providing access to educational opportunities for young children and their families, according to the foundation’s website. The primary mission was “to advocate for and establish literacy as a value in every home.”

The foundation partners with local programs and has awarded more than $110 million to create or expand family literacy programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to its website.

Mrs. Bush also helped pass the National Literacy Act in 1991, with the goal of teaching millions of adults how to read, CNN reports.

She once said, “The American Dream is about equal opportunity for everyone who works hard. If we don’t give everyone the ability to simply read and write, then we aren’t giving everyone an equal chance to succeed.”

Today, her foundation notes that 36 million adults in the U.S. have low literacy skills, and one in four adults cannot read above a fifth-grade level. So their work continues. The cause is a worthy one, as literacy helps people grow, think creatively and problem-solve. It opens doors, builds communities, and improves lives — and it truly makes a difference.

There are a few ways one can honor Mrs. Bush’s memory. Donate to a local literacy program, such as Adult Literacy Plus in Yuma, or donate some gently used books to a Little Free Library in Yuma County. One could also donate funds to a favorite local school in Yuma County to be used to purchase books, or to the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, at www.BarbaraBushLegacy.org.

Mrs. Bush’s efforts made a difference in the lives of countless Americans. She will be missed.