Former first lady Laura Bush, known as a champion of children's education, human rights and health-care initiatives here and abroad, will speak in the University at Buffalo's Alumni Arena at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 10, as part of UB's Distinguished Speakers Series.

Her efforts have earned her honors from the United Nations, the Elie Wiesel Foundation, the Kuwait-American Foundation, Vanderbilt University and the American Library Association, among others.

Bush has never courted controversy and revealed little of herself to the public during her husband's administration. In spite of that, she was a wildly popular figure. Post-administration commentators and readers of her autobiographical book, "Spoken from the Heart," have found that the former First Lady has a mind of her own and supports a number of progressive positions, such as those on Roe v. Wade, same-sex marriage, Elena Kagan's appointment to the Supreme Court and disagreement with Arizona's immigration law.

While not particularly candid about some issues, Bush has what one reporter has called "a keener eye, a readier laugh and a sharper tongue" than many may have assumed.

Bush's lecture is expected to start at approximately 8:10 p.m. During the program, audio and/or video photography, as well as still photography, will be limited to the first five minutes of her lecture.

Working media may reserve tickets for the program by contacting Christine Vidal in the UB Office of Communications at 645-4607 or vidal@buffalo.edu no later than noon on Tuesday, Oct. 9. Reserved tickets may be picked up at the will-call window in Alumni Arena prior to the program. Media may need to show press credentials in order to be admitted to the program.