During her time in the Bush Administration, Charity Wallace, was the Deputy Chief of Protocol of the United States and Director of Advance for First Lady Laura Bush, and from 2009-2010, Charity was the Chief of Staff to Mrs. Laura Bush

An all-around American woman, Charity Wallace is a native Californian. She graduated magna cum laud from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a focus in International Relations.

She’s a George W. Bush White House veteran where she spent 8 years working in his Administration from 2001-2009. She’s got a typical American story in that she didn’t have any connections in life that got her to where she is today. She has been graced with one in a lifetime opportunities that most people would love to experience, but she gives recognition to God.

During her time in the Bush Administration, Charity was the Deputy Chief of Protocol of the United States and Director of Advance for First Lady Laura Bush, and from 2009-2010, Charity was the Chief of Staff to Mrs. Laura Bush. During her tenure in the Bush Administration and in her current role, Wallace has traveled to over 70 countries.

Currently, Charity serves as the Senior Advisor to the Global Women’s Initiatives at the Bush Institute and is in an executive graduate program in pursuit of a Global Master of Arts degree in International Relations from The Fletcher School at Tufts University.

Prior to her current role, Charity served as the Vice President of the Global Women’s Initiatives and Senior Advisor to Mrs. Laura Bush. In this role, Ms. Wallace was responsible for setting the vision and managing the policy engagement for the women’s initiatives, including Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon global health initiative, empowering women in the Middle East and working with First Ladies from around the world. The Initiatives aim to improve access to education, health care, and economic opportunity for women and children in Africa, the Middle East and Afghanistan.

She also serves on a number of boards and she wrote the foreword for the book “Work, Love, Pray,” which was released in 2011.

Seele Magazine spoke with Charity about her journey from university to the Bush Administration, women’s empowerment, Africa, how her faith has guided her decision making, and Texas BBQ.

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Seele Magazine: You graduated magna cum laude from Pepperdine University. Did you have to work hard to make good grades or did school always come easy to you?

Charity Wallace: I love to learn, and I have been blessed with curiosity, self-motivation, determination, and a good mind. I was diligent in my studies, often skipping trips to the beach or to sports games or other excursions to ensure that I did well. Being such a serious and diligent student is important, although I wish I would have had a little more fun in college because it is one of the last times in your life where you are pretty carefree. However, I believe that the more we know, the more skills we obtain that prepare us to analyze, think critically, and problem solve, the better our opportunities will be, and the more we can make a positive impact in the world.

Charity when she was Deputy Chief of Protocol, greeting then Prime Minister Tusk of Poland at the White House on March 10, 2007 before his meeting with President Bush.

SM: What was it like for you working in the Bush Administration? How did you grow in each of the roles that you had? And, for anyone wanting to work in a presidential administration, what advice can you give?

CW: My experience working in the Bush Administration was life-changing. The Bushes provided an example for all of the staff, from the interns to the cabinet secretaries, to follow – one of respect for all with whom you work, a strong work ethic with a standard of absolute excellence, one that emphasized teamwork and trustworthiness, and one that always included fun and levity. The Bush team became like a family. We recently had an alumni reunion and I was struck by the caliber and character of my colleagues, so many of whom have become trusted and valued friends.

I was in my early 20s when I started working for the administration, so I grew exponentially with each position. I often felt underqualified for my position, but eager to fulfill the responsibilities of my respective role, and the support, trust and guidance that was provided to me ultimately led to personal and professional growth. I had the privilege of traveling to more than 65 countries during the administration, which enabled me to witness the strength and power of women on every continent and prepared me for my work at the Bush Center.

My advice is to work hard, never consider any task as below you, and leave your ego at the door. Be diligent, service oriented, open to new challenges and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.

2015- The Bush Institute Women's Initiative Fellowship Program visited the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

SM: Mrs. Bush is passionate about creating a pathway through vision and policy initiatives that aim to improve access to education, health care, and economic opportunity at the Bush Institute for women and children in Afghanistan, the Middle East and in Africa. Why?

CW: Mrs. Bush is extraordinary – gracious, brilliant, steady, and funny. From travels, and research studies, we know that women’s inclusion in every aspect of society (education, health, economics) leads to peace, stability and prosperity for their families, communities, countries, and our world globally. Therefore, Mrs. Bush advocates for greater empowerment for women because of the proven effects of women’s full participation in society.

SM: What does women’s empowerment mean to you?

CW: Women’s empowerment means that women are able to reach their full, God-given potential. It means that women truly know, comprehend and own their distinct value, worth, and contributions, as well as the ability and opportunity to fully realize them in however they uniquely choose to do so.

Charity with Hadeer Maher, the head of the Entrepreneurial Sector at Step Up Youth Initiative, a prominent NGO in Egypt.

SM: You went to Zambia in 2013 with President and Mrs. Bush to continue their commitment to helping the people of Africa by speaking out, and you helped to refurbish the Mosi Oa Tuny Clinic. Describe your work with the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon global health initiative in Africa and working with African First Ladies. What joy does it bring you to personally work on these issues?

CW: The joy of personally having the chance to work on these issues is immense. Not only is there satisfaction in working with your hands to transform something, like a clinic, in order to provide life-saving treatment for women – which we know has an enormous ripple effect on her, her family and her community – there is also intense joy in investing personally in women and seeing their lives changed. Working with women, in Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and the United States, to equip and empower them to reach their full potential has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life to date.

“I can only describe my path as miraculous – from starting as a volunteer on the campaign with no connections to serving as the Deputy Chief of Protocol and Chief of Staff to Mrs. Bush...”

SM: In life’s challenges, how has your faith guided the decisions you have to make or the pressures in your work life?

CW: I have a very strong faith, which has guided me my whole life. I can only describe my path as miraculous – from starting as a volunteer on the campaign with no connections to serving as the Deputy Chief of Protocol and Chief of Staff to Mrs. Bush. I recognize that I could not have opened these doors for myself. I seek guidance, comfort, and wisdom from God in my decision and in my work – and I use the talents, abilities, skills and favor he has blessed me with in order to accomplish goals and hopefully positively impact others’ lives.

SM: What’s your morning routine?

CW: I must admit that I have never been much of a morning person … but I have worked for morning people for sixteen years. Because I love to sleep, I often wake up in just enough time to get ready for my first responsibility – be it a speaking engagement, meeting, going to the office, or traveling (with Mrs. Bush or others). Since stepping down as the Vice President for Global Women’s Initiatives at the Bush Center to serve as Senior Advisor to the Bush Institute, pursue a master’s degree in international relations from The Fletcher School at Tufts, and focus on my personal life, my mornings are more leisurely, and often spent in workout pants these days. I like to watch a political or news morning show, drink coffee, take a long exercise walk and get started on my tasks for the day. I am a list writer, and love the feeling of crossing things off my list.

SM: If you could give one piece of advice to all the early 20-something year old women in the world, what would you tell them?

CW: I have so many things I would love to say, but here are my highlights: You are unique, powerful, and there is a purpose for your life – beyond yourself. Take advantage of opportunities, get out of your own way and do not take yourself out of the running - for jobs or life. Work hard, be diligent, be humble, add value, and do not be afraid to speak up (and do not apologize – find your voice!), self-promote (guys do it all the time) and throw your hat in the ring – always!

SM: Describe Malibu, California in one sentence, Washington, DC in one sentence, and Dallas, Texas in one sentence.

CW: Malibu is full of beauty – both in nature and the people that live there. It is breathtaking and there is a sense of relaxation, freedom and wonder there.

Washington, DC is awe inspiring, historic, stimulating, high-powered, high-stress, full of type-A people and strangely insular (inside the beltway is a saying for a reason) … and I loved it!

Dallas is friendly, sophisticated and a proud city where people possess a can-do attitude and eagerness to get things done.

SM: What’s the best restaurant in Dallas to get Texas BBQ?

CW: I must admit that I hardly go to BBQ, even though I love it. Perini Ranch caters events for the Bushes – both when they were in DC and now in Dallas, and it is incredible!

And, my friends recently went to Pecan Lodge and in order to get into the express line, because the regular line was so long, they ordered 5 lbs of BBQ – and apparently, it was so good they finished it all. Yikes!

All photos courtesy of Charity Wallace, Perini Ranch and Pecan Lodge.