Anita McBride ‘77 recently visited Notre Dame Prep and spoke with our AP Government, IB and AP English classes. She detailed her career from her beginnings as a volunteer for Ronald Reagan’s 1980 Presidential Campaign up through her time with the Bush Administration as the Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush. Anita told stories from her career including one where on September 11, 2001, she successfully led an evacuation of over 75 White House staff to a separate location on behalf of the president.
Anita also emphasized the importance of the role of the First Ladies of the United States. She spoke of her efforts to highlight all that they do and is committed to ensuring their contributions to our country do not go forgotten. As part of this work, Anita has co-authored three books on U.S. First Ladies including, Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women, and a young reader book titled First Ladies Make History. She has toured and visited over 60 sites while promoting her most recent book, U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies. Anita currently serves as the Executive in Residence at the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies in the School of Public Affairs at American University.
Anita spoke about what students who are interested in government can do right now, “Take advantage of the various resources available to you at school, get involved in student government, and do volunteer work. You never know where any of these opportunities may lead you. It was Notre Dame Prep that helped set up the volunteer opportunities that I took advantage of.” She also spoke about how important it is for young people to be involved in shaping our country, “This is a period of time that is really an opportunity for people to take stock and recognize that their voice really matters. The youth vote and youth engagement is stronger than it has ever been in 40 years. Now is the time to make your voice heard.”
The Notre Dame Administration is grateful to Anita for taking the time to share her story with today’s Lancers.
