Your Own True Colors: Timeless Wisdom from America's Grandmother

by Barbara Bush

An inspiring and beautiful way to commemorate Barbara Bush—the complete text of her historic speech to the 1990 graduating class of Wellesley College, which NPR included in their list of the “Best Commencement Speeches, Ever.”

Barbara Bush is one of America’s most beloved first ladies, and one of only two in our history to be both the wife and the mother of a President. Celebrated for her wit, compassion, candor, and ebullience, she was embraced on both sides of the political aisle.

In the outpouring of national admiration and affection in the days following her death in the spring of 2018 at age ninety-two, many remembered the commencement address Mrs. Bush gave to the Wellesley College class of 1990. She urged the graduates to believe in something larger than themselves, citing her own commitment to literacy and her belief that, “if more people could read, write, and comprehend, we would be much closer to solving many of the problems plaguing our society.”

Filled with timeless wisdom, Your Own True Colors is a perfect gift book for graduation or any occasion. Barbara Bush’s message about men, women, diversity, and big ideals—finding one’s own true colors—is as timely, important, and inspiring as ever.

Genres: Nonfiction, Inspirational

64 pages, Hardcover

Published June 12, 2018

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Barbara Bush, First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993 as the wife of George Herbert Walker Bush, president, actively promoted literacy.

She mothered George Walker Bush and Jeb Bush, governor of Florida. From 1981, she served as the second to her husband, vice to Ronald Wilson Reagan. Barbara Pierce Bush made the 41st.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara...

Reviews

[Elizabeth☮ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as I cooked dinner. It’s a commencement for Wellesley College in 1990. The essential message is find your own passion.

I forgot Barbara Bush lived in Houston.

My daughters attended Laura Bush Elementary. When George W was in The White House, he poured a lot of funding into library programs. I know Barbara isn't Laura's mother, but it felt like a link.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only did I love the inspiring words spoken by Barbara Bush at Wellesley College in 1990, but I absolutely loved the illustrations on every other page. As the book progresses more books of every color are added to the bookshelf and by the last page the bookshelf is full. A perfect illustration choice for a First Lady whose commitment to literacy will live on. This fan of mermaids is pretty sure that "rainbows" after a storm are her true colors.

[Cab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written version of her commencement speach at Wellesley College.

[Irenejohnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I ask myself where do the mermaids stand! This short book is the address Barbara Bush gave at a college. Take the time and read it. It will make you smile and inspire you to look to the future and how you can be so part of something bigger than yourself. I am a mermaid and I will stand in my small part of the world emitting sunshine to all.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thirty years later, this short speech still resonates. I wish it were longer, but I’m glad I read it just for the unicorn story. Recommended.

[Becky Morlok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Bush's Wellesley College Commencement Address from 1990.....fascinating quick read the year of her death 2018.....will make a very special gift to my granddaughters some day.

I will always adore Barbara Bush.

[Olivia Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Today, I sat down and read this book. The book is so short it took me about 10 minutes to read. I thought this would be a book of stories or advice from Barbara Bush, however, it was a commencement speech she gave in the 90s at Wellesley College. I had a hard time connecting what she said throughout the book to her overall theme. She started off telling a story that she heard someone else tell about being true to who you are, even if other people try to push out your individuality. She also talked about being joyful and putting people first in your life, because they are what matters the most. I think I respected the book more for who wrote it and I think it could meaningful to a new graduate.

[Sarah McClure Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

With each turn of the page there are more colorful books to the illustrated shelf. 🥰

Great graduation gift.

“Diversity… like anything worth having… requires effort. Effort to learn about and respect difference, to be compassionate with one another, to cherish our own identity… and to accept unconditionally the same in all others.”

“Whatever the times, one thing will never change: fathers and mothers, if you have children… they must come first. Your success as a family… our success as a society … depends not on what happens at the White House, but on what happens inside your house.”

“And who knows? Somewhere out in this audience may even be someone who will one day follow in my footsteps, and president over the White House as the President’s spouse. I wish HIM well!” ☺️

[Myra Romano · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's BARBARA BUSH. The lady is an icon of class. I grabbed the book straight off the new release shelf at the library and couldn't wait to share it with my 3 boys at dinner. It's her commencement speech from Wesley in the 1990s and its still as relevant today as it was back then. BE YOU. FIND YOU. STICK WITH YOU. Fast inspiration and conversation starter for the 3 boys who are 11-13. Talk to your kids. This is such a great way to start.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Your Own True Color’ is the commencement address Mrs Bush gave to the Wellesley College Class of 1990. In her message to the graduates she inspires them with her words and thoughts of wisdom. The speech is short but has Mrs Bush’s beautiful wit, compassion and sass that we all have come to love.
This is a lovely copy of the speech created since her death in the spring of 2018.

[Hal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Barbara Bush is a recounting of the graduation address she gave at Wellesley College in 1990. It is pure Barbara Bush in many ways. Simple, direct, and impactful her advice for a wonderful life based on more than just professional achievement. Possibly snickered at by some from other political leanings the book has a lot teach most everyone. And like Barbara Bush herself, memorable.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Bush has ALWAYS been someone I admired very much. I love her passion for literacy, her love of needlepoint, family first and most of all her directness in telling it like it is. This speech to graduates of Wellesley has great wisdom 1) believe in something larger than yourself 2) find the joy 3) cherish the human connection. She always inspires.

[Kelley Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Barbara Bush delights us with her wise words.. A great little book on what it means to create the life you want to live. A short speech based on the commencement she delivered at Wellesley college. If you don't fit into a certain box that is ok go out and create your own box.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little book that provides excerpts of Barbara Bush's commencement address to Wellesley College in 1990. She encouraged diversity before it became a movement. She reminds us that strength lies in becoming who you are meant to be and not by following the crowd.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

My take away from this book: If the world give you a choice to be a giant, dwarf, or wizard, and you want to be a mermaid, BE A MERMAID! That is to say, don't let someone put you in a box, be who/what you want.

[Kay Terrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wisdom indeed. I thoroughly enjoyed these writings from First Lady Barbara Bush.

[JeanD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super quick read as it's simply a book bound version of the commencement speech she gave at Wesley College. Much of the wisdom in the book/speech still applies today.

[Evan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I true example of capitalism at work. This would never have been a book before Barbara passed away.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any grandmother who can quote Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a grandmother after my own heart. Her witty dry humor gets me everytime.

[Deborah Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book jacket! The wisdom in the book was great too!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This commencement address by Barbara Bush was top-notch. Interesting, humorous, full of wise advice, and brief!

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice speech Barbara Bush wrote.

[Liesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very inspiring. I loved it!

[Diem N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 7 of 100 completed. I read the book in less than 30 minutes. It's approximately 64 pages long. It touches on a lot of great points. She presents a very inspiring speech.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished it while eating a quick lunch, graduation speech.

[Shannon Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story about the little girl who was a mermaid. It came from a game that they played at church and it just shows how people are different and they should love who they are.

[Abby Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read with important life lessons.

[Alyssa Apollo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be a mermaid!

[Tim]

Yay for literacy! I really liked the bookshelf illustrations that grow as you turn each page.

[Amanda Pascoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one-sitting read full of great advice from a graduation address. A beautiful and simple reminder of what's important from someone who knew.