The Postal Service has revealed the artwork of a Forever stamp honoring former first lady Barbara Bush.
The stamp design was unveiled May 8 at the White House by first lady Melania Trump; Dorothy “Doro” Bush Koch, daughter of Barbara Bush; Alice Yates, CEO of the George and Barbara Bush Foundation; and Judy de Torok, the Postal Service’s corporate affairs vice president.
“Today we recognize Mrs. Bush not only as a beloved first lady, but as a remarkable American in her own right,” Acting Postmaster General Doug Tulino said in a statement. “She charted a legacy for herself, and did it with conviction, determination and compassion.”
The stamp will be available in panes of 20 and dedicated at a ceremony in Kennebunkport, ME, on Tuesday, June 10, two days after the centennial of Barbara Bush’s birth on June 8.
Born Barbara Pierce in New York City in 1925, she married George H.W. Bush in 1945.
The couple would have six children between 1946 and 1959: George W., Robin, Jeb, Neil, Marvin and Dorothy.
George H.W. Bush would go on to become a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, ambassador to the United Nations, chairman of the Republican National Committee, head of the U.S. Liaison Office in the People’s Republic of China, and director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
In 1980, he was elected vice president. Barbara Bush was second lady from 1981-1989.
George H.W. Bush was elected president in 1988 and Barbara Bush was first lady from 1989-1993.
During her time as second and then first lady, she championed literacy causes and wrote her first book, “C. Fred’s Story” — told from the perspective of the family’s cocker spaniel — in 1984, donating the proceeds to national literacy programs.
Barbara Bush also wrote “Millie’s Book” in the voice of the family’s springer spaniel; “Pearls of Wisdom: Little Pieces of Advice (That Go A Long Way)”; “Reflections: Life After the White House”; and “Barbara Bush: A Memoir.”
She died in April 2018, while George H.W. Bush died that November.
“This special stamp serves as a lasting reminder of Barbara Bush’s enduring love for family and friends, sharp wit and unwavering commitment to solve the problems of today by ensuring that every man, woman and child has the opportunity to read, write and comprehend,” Bush Koch said.
Email us your feedback. Your comments could be included in our “Mail” column.
