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Education news and issues in the Ozarks.

Jenna Bush Hager Headlines Missouri Public Affairs Conference

George W Bush Presidential Center

As the opening speaker MSU's Public Affairs Conference, Jenna Bush Hager encouraged people in the Ozarks to find their voice and seek ways to serve their community.

Bush Hager is working to make a difference on a global scale.  The daughter of former President George W. Bush is chair of the board for UNICEF.  She took the stage at Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts Tuesday night hoping to inspire the crowd to make a difference in their communities.

"Its so important to be involved in our community," she said.  "I think that--I travel across the world, but there's so many people right here in Springfield that need your help."

The 36-year-old shared stories of family, teaching and compassion along with emphasizing the importance of involvement.

Bush Hager said she credits her late grandmother, Barbara Bush, for sparking her passion for service.  She recalled a time when Barbara visited hospitals to cradle babies with HIV at a time when there was a stigma surrounding the disease, "and now, when I've reflected on her life and I've read these stories about her, I do think , you know, that she was in inspiration, and I didn't even really know it," said.  "She used her voice in so many different powerful ways."

Bush Hager is a correspondent for NBC's Today Show and serves as editor at large for Southern Living Magazine.