First lady Melania Trump celebrated the life of former first lady Barbara Bush at the White House, unveiling a U.S. Postal Service postage stamp of President George H.W. Bush‘s wife in a rare public appearance.
“Mrs. Bush’s legacy is marked by her respect for tradition, while also breaking with convention,” Trump said at the White House on Thursday. “While she is known for championing literacy, she also supported women’s empowerment, changed the national conversation on AIDS, and took a stance supporting gay rights.”
For the first lady, Barbara’s contributions in the role have had an “enduring impact” on the nation.
“May this tribute inspire us to live with compassion, act with strength, and uphold the values that direct all of us to work a meaningful existence,” she said.
Trump hosted Bush family members in the East Room for the event, including Barbara’s youngest daughter, Doro Bush Koch. Former president and Koch’s older brother, George W. Bush, and his wife, Laura, did not attend.
“Mrs. Trump, we are so grateful to you for hosting us at the White House on this momentous occasion,” Koch said. “Being here brings back so many memories for me and my family. My mom always loved to come back and visit, and I know she’s watching over us today and reminding me to keep these remarks short.”
Koch recalled that her mother “will forever be remembered for her strength, abounding love for family, quick wit, and deep commitment to literacy.”
“Mom lived through six children, 21 grandchildren, at least 27 moves from California to China, seven wars, three dress sizes, two governors, seven parachute jumps, and two presidents,” she said. “It’s unlikely that Mom ever pictured herself on a postage stamp, and it’s very likely that she would be wondering what all this fuss is about today. But on behalf of my entire family, I can assure you that we are all very proud and grateful for this special tribute.”
Barbara died in April 2018, shortly before her husband in November that year. She is the seventh first lady to have a postage stamp.
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Earlier Thursday, Trump hosted another event celebrating military mothers before Mother’s Day this Sunday, a relatively busy public schedule compared to her quiet presence during the first 100 days of her husband’s second administration.
Trump’s absence from Washington has been the subject of feature articles this week, with the New York Times reporting that she has “spent fewer than 14 days at the White House since her husband was inaugurated 108 days ago.” That has meant the president has had to perform some of the responsibilities traditionally undertaken by first ladies, including choosing lighting fixtures and hosting receptions for Women’s History Month.