Barbara Pierce Bush

Barbara and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

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First Ladies - 1900 to 2000

Barbara Pierce Bush*

President George H.W. Bush*

Millie, Barbara and George H. W. Bush*
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First Lady Barbara and President George H. W. Bush
​First Lady - 1989 -1993
Quotes from Barbara -

• “Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success will be how you treat other people - your family, friends, and coworkers, and even strangers you meet along the way.”
• "I think you just have to be yourself and do the best you can.”

​Factoids -

• When her son, George W. Bush, was elected president in 2000, it made Barbara only the second woman to be both wife and mother of a U.S. President.
• Barbara hosted a Sunday evening radio program called “Mrs. Bush’s Story Time” with the help of celebrity guests.

Bio -

• Barbara Pierce was born in New York.  She attended boarding school, where she met George H.W. Bush at a dance.  George and Barbara were engaged before George served in the Navy during World War II.  While George was serving, Barbara studied at Smith College, then married George at 19, when he returned.  Their marriage lasted 73 years!
• George enrolled at Yale University and he and Barbara had six children.  George’s political career started with Ambassador to the U.N., then Chief Liason Officer to China, and Director of the C.I.A.  Barbara took care of their children throughout the job changes and moves, never pursuing a career of her own.
• When George became President, Barbara’s mission as First Lady was to promote literacy for all. She established the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, visiting schools and libraries all over the United States to promote the cause of literacy.  Barbara’s other campaigns as First Lady included encouraging volunteerism and support of HIV/AIDS patients.
• Barbara managed to win the hearts of the American public with authentic roles as wife, mother, and grandmother.  Her warm, welcoming, and caring attitude were beloved.  ​

About George - George H. W. Bush was the 41st President.  He managed the end of the Cold War and the Dissolution of the Soviet Union.  George led a successful coalition in the Gulf War against Iraq.  Despite foreign policy successes, he faced a recession and broke a key "no new taxes" promise. He lost re-election to Bill Clinton in 1992.

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Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Barbara Bush, as a Texas mother and grandmother, was known for her cooking and recipes.  One of these recipes was for her famous Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.  

Ingredients 
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (12 ounces) bag semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups quick-cooking oats (not instant)

Steps

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.   Prepare cookie sheets by lining with parchment paper or leaving bare - do NOT grease.
   
2. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt onto waxed paper. Set aside.
3. Beat together butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl until fluffy. Stir in flour mixture until well blended. Stir in oats and chocolate chips.
4. Drop batter by rounded tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto un-greased cookie sheets.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool.

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Portrait Credits*
Barbara Bush - The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; At the beach - Photo Credit:  George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
George HW Bush - David Valdez, George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons