Daughters of former president George W. Bush, Barbara Bush and Jenna Hager, shared experiences and advice from their careers to students at the University of Central Oklahoma on Thursday as part of the Distinguished Speaker Series.
Barbara Bush is a co-founder of Global Health Corps, an organization that mobilizes a global community of young leaders to build the movement for health equity.
Jenna Hager is a contributing correspondent on NBC’s Today Show, editor-at-large for Southern Living magazine and was a former teacher.
The sisters each said their discovery of the “beauty and richness of other cultures” was founded through experiences with their parents.
“We were inspired to witness their work, their social justice, woman’s rights, education and literacy,” Bush said in her speech. “It was trips to Africa that motivated us both to work in HIV, AIDS, and the rights of women and children all over the world.”
Bush and Hager said the more you know about the plight of people across the world, the more likely you are to make a difference.
Bush said young people involved in the Global Health Corp are going to be leading in the next 15 to 20 years of their lives.
“They are going to be the change that we need to see in global health,” Bush said.
Following their speeches, the Bush daughters participated in a Q&A from students.
Bush and Hager said young people ought not to have too rigid life plans, allow yourself to follow your dreams.
“We have parents that just say do it,” Hager said. “Follow your passions and take these opportunities and volunteer if you need to and get in there and work hard.”
Bush said Global Health Corporation searches for “rational dreamers,” a term that refers to people who can continue to be hopeful, creative and search for problems, but at the same time are rational and will do their research to get something done accurately.
Hager said the best advice she had for high school or college students was to find something they love and find ways to give back.
When asked about where they will be in 10 years, both Bush and Hager said (with humor) that they will not be running for political office. They said they plan to continue tackling the issues they care about and working hard to change the world by helping others.
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