Barbara Bush addresses Wellesley grads despite controversy

As First Lady during the presidency of her husband, George H. W. Bush, Barbara Bush was invited to give the 1990 commencement address at Wellesley College.  There were protests against the choice from the young women, who argued in a petition that she had "gained recognition through the achievements of her husband, . . . [whereas] Wellesley teaches us that we will be rewarded on the basis of our own merit, not on that of a spouse."

Unperturbed and unapologetic over who she was, Barbara Bush showed up and gave the address -- which included the observation that there is perhaps someone in the audience who would, like her, one day preside over the White House as the president's spouse.   "And I wish him well."   

That's where she won over the audience -- and nearly brought down the house in spirited applause.