SUPPORTING
INNOVATIVE
LEARNING

In 1968, Bush was asked to help in a multi-university study on the malnutrition of African American children in Beaufort county.  By 1970, Bush worked for 10 years with the  Beaufort Jasper County Comprehensive Health program to improve the general nutritional health of minority children and their families.

For several years, Laura worked as a consultant on special water projects for Beaufort-Jasper County Water and Sewer Authority, educating people to give up their wells and hook into the water lines. She was then hired by the Institute for Community Education and Training as a director for the women’s education program charged with organizing a statewide program encouraging women to take on non-traditional jobs – painting, construction, welding. As a result, Bush was one of 50 women nationally to be recognized as a pioneer, putting her in touch with notable women such as Gloria Steinem and Barbara Bush during a tour and a program sponsored by Oprah Winfrey in Washington, D.C.

She spent 13 years as Emergency Assistance Coordinator for Beaufort County and created a countywide management system for local agencies and churches.

Bush was then elected to the Beaufort County School Board where she served for 26 years in positions  including chair, vice chair and secretary. Throughout her school board tenure, Bush was always known as an advocate for the struggling students. She sought much needed programs for special education students, alternative schools for “unaverage” students and assistance for the student athletes who were falling behind in the classroom.

Bush credits her many accomplishments to help from God, the love of her late husband, as well as support from her community and family.

Continuing her positive impact on generations of Beaufort County residents, Bush served on multiple local boards, including Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry, as well as several others. Bush was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

Receiving numerous awards throughout her public service career, Bush has been recognized by the South Carolina House of Representatives, Beaufort County Council, NAACP, South Carolina School Board, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bluffton MLK Committee.

The Peggy May Inspiration Award recognizes an individual who has been supportive of or attended Beaufort County public schools and whose accomplishments have distinguished him/her in their chosen profession. The passion, skills and success of this individual have positively influenced and inspired others, including Beaufort County School District students, to recognize potential, opportunities and encourages students to invent their own futures. The award is named for former recipient, the late Peggy May, who served as county and state Director of Adult Literacy, and Board chair of the Foundation for Educational Excellence.

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 “We are honored to present this award to Laura Bush for her lifetime of work that has focused on our communities and education,” stated Lisa Carroll, Foundation Board Chair.