Sarah Porter Rose

Susan Porter Rose is an American political aide and administrator who held roles in government, academia, and public service. She served as chief of staff to Barbara Bush from 1981 to 1993 and previously worked for First Ladies Pat Nixon and Betty Ford. Her career also included roles at the U.S. Department of Justice, as a commissioner on the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, and as a trustee of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.

Early life and education Susan Porter Rose, born Susan Anne Porter, is a native of Terre Haute, Indiana. She is the daughter of Elmer Porter, a former chair of the fine arts department at Indiana State University.

Career

Early career Rose began her career as a staff assistant to U.S. representative Richard L. Roudebush, serving from 1963 to 1964.

In 1970, Rose joined the White House staff as a volunteer during her summer vacation, assisting with correspondence for First Lady Pat Nixon. In 1980, she was on the staff of the Assistant Attorney General for Administration. Her father died in 1996. She has also remained connected to her hometown of Terre Haute and to Earlham College, where she served as president of the alumni association in 1980.

On January 26, 1980, Rose married Jonathan Chapman Rose at the Washington National Cathedral. He is an attorney who worked at Jones Day and held roles in the Nixon and Reagan administrations. In 1981, at the age of 40, Rose gave birth to their only child, Benjamin, after an 18-hour labor. In 1991, The couple lived in Alexandria, Virginia. As of 1999, Rose and her family resided in McLean, Virginia.