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Bush is a vital advocate on behalf of the substance
abuse prevention and treatment community. For example, she is a spokesperson
and member of Informed Families of Florida, a non-profit organization involved
in educating families on the perils of drug abuse, as well as a member of
the Governors’ Spouses Leadership
Forum, an organization that is dedicated to the reduction of youth alcohol
abuse. Her involvement and activities extend beyond Florida’s borders,
too. She serves as the National Madrina for the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration, empowering Latinas to turn their backs on drugs
and alcohol.
Regarding education, in 2000, she started the Arts Recognition
Program, which honors high school seniors who have demonstrated exemplary
talents in music, media, dance, theater or visual arts. She also is co-founder
of the Children’s
Cultural Education Fund of the Ballet Folklorico, which raises money for the
national dance troupe of Mexico.
To help combat domestic violence, she has worked with several organizations,
including the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, which offers services
to women who were domestically abused through a refuge information network.
How’s that for trying to make the most of her time as Florida’s
First Lady?
“The role of First Lady doesn’t come with a guidebook, but I feel
I have grown from the experience, and I am honored and humbled by the opportunity,” Columba
Bush says with a Spanish accent. “It has given me a platform to be heard
on matters of such great importance to me.”
Columba Garnica Gallo does know the flipside. She has
faced her own share of life’s challenges.
She was born in 1953. Growing up in Mexico, she lived
in a late 1800s stone-and-brick house belonging to Columba’s maternal grandfather, who had modest real-estate
holdings. Although she doesn’t discuss the “private” circumstances,
when she was 3 her father left the household, which also included a brother
and sister.
Her mother raised the children.
The family certainly didn’t have it easy.
She met her future husband while he was in her hometown
as part of a cultural exchange program. They married in 1974, and subsequently
she was thrust into the public spotlight. The glare has sometimes been harsh
for her and her family, which also includes sons George, 27, and Jebby, 20,
and daughter Noelle, 26. That glare is magnified considering the children’s
grandfather and uncle, who happen to be U.S. presidents.
Every family encounters lapses of personal judgment and real-world problems,
but not everybody must read about their misfortunes in headlines.
Yet, despite the hardships and trying times, Columba Bush continues to move
forward, intent on making a difference in communities across Florida. Of greatest
importance, she insists, is building family.
She cites national research that shows how the level of family involvement
impacts high-risk behaviors. In essence, the more time spent between parents
and their children, the less likely the children will fall prey to temptation.
“As we continue to witness the effects of alcohol, tobacco and illicit
drugs on our community, we must renew our commitment to protect and empower
every human being, particularly our youth,” she says.
“Family life can be challenging, and parenting
is the most important job of all.”
Given her background, she spends a large amount of her time working with Hispanics.
She points to more research. According to federal data, by 2020 one in five
children will be of Hispanic origin. Presently, there are almost 7 million
Hispanic girls under the age of 18 living in the United States and Puerto Rico.
At the same time, a large number of Hispanic girls rank higher in rates of
pregnancy, depression and suicide than any racial or ethnic group.
“While my accent may cause some audiences to listen more carefully,
my fluency in Spanish reaches deep into other audiences,” she comments. “I
am proud to be bilingual. While my work is focused on all children, I am blessed
to be able to reach into the Hispanic community.”
In addition, Bush has a message for Hispanic women who want to succeed: Be
yourself and commit to a cause.
“There is no simple answer to this, but I would say it is first important
to celebrate who you are. Experience has also taught me that the happiest people
seem to be those committed to a cause. They also happen to lead balanced lives
where faith and family are No. 1,” she says.
“For me, the question of “What is my purpose?” has
been sometimes perplexing, sometimes crystal clear, but more often than not,
challenging. I constantly seek answers, and have finally realized that I
may never find answers to some of my questions.”
By no means does the former Columba Garnica Gallo feel she is special.
She remembers her first meeting with Jeb Bush, who was
teaching English while improving his Spanish in Mexico. She was a teenager,
and he was “one
of the most handsome boys I had ever met, even though he was clearly too tall!” During
his first visit, a year earlier, their paths didn’t cross. Then fate
intervened.
“I would like to tell you that I looked in his eyes and saw my future,” she
says. “The truth is, I was young and he was very good looking, and he
had a big heart. The good news is that we happened to share many of the same
values and beliefs. Even then, we knew the importance and central role of family.
“Our cultures were so different, but we shared
so many of the same values and beliefs about our world. We knew a solid foundation
for learning was essential, and we knew we had much to learn from people
different from ourselves. Still, I was surprised when he declared his love
for me before he left.”
Now, she is Florida’s First Lady, a title she
embraces.
“Every day is a new day and different from the one before,” she
describes. “The responsibility is immense. One day, I may be focused
exclusively on my priorities; the next day may be focused on affairs of the
Governor’s Mansion, and the next day may be spent standing with the Governor
on an important matter.
“Public service can be demanding, but it is a
tremendous privilege and honor to serve.”
Active Participation
A sampling of Columba Bush’s community involvement:
• Spokesperson and member of Informed Families
of Florida
• Member of the Governors’ Spouses Leadership
Forum
• National Madrina for the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration
• Board member of Columbia University’s
Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
• Works with the National Institute
on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
• Honorary chair of the Mission San Luis
Endowment Campaign
• Founder of the Arts Recognition Program
• Co-founder of the Children’s
Cultural Education Fund of the Ballet Folklorico
• Works with the Florida
Coalition Against Domestic Violence
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