Rose began her career as a staff assistant to U.S. representative Richard L. Roudebush, serving from 1963 to 1964.[2][3] She subsequently transitioned into academia, working as assistant dean at the George School in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, from 1964 to 1966.[1][3] She then served as assistant director of admissions at Mount Holyoke College from 1966 to 1971.[1][3] Her tenure spanned a turbulent time in American history, including student protests over the Cambodian Civil War and the Kent State shootings.[4]
In 1970, Rose joined the White House staff as a volunteer during her summer vacation, assisting with correspondence for First Lady Pat Nixon.[1][2][4] This initial role led to her permanent appointment at the White House in 1971.[5] In 1973, she was promoted to director of scheduling for the First Lady.[2][3] She worked as Pat Nixon's appointment secretary during the Watergate scandal.[5]
Rose retained this role during the transition to the presidency of Gerald Ford, serving as director of scheduling for First Lady Betty Ford from 1974 to 1977.[1][2][3] During this time, she worked Ford's public health campaign following her breast cancer diagnosis and substance dependency.[4][5]
From 1977 to 1981, Rose worked at the U.S. Department of Justice.[1] She served as special assistant to the U.S. Assistant Attorney General of the Office For Improvements in the Administration of Justice.[6] In 1980, she was on the staff of the Assistant Attorney General for Administration.[6] She was also a special assistant to the Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Justice Management Division.[1][3]
In 1981, Rose became Chief of Staff to Barbara Bush, then Second Lady of the United States.[4] She continued in this role when Bush became First Lady in 1989 and served until the end of the administration in 1993.[1][2][3]
During the George H. W. Bush 1988 presidential campaign, Rose played a role on Barbara Bush's team, managing schedules and events.[4] Following Bush's election, she was appointed chief of staff to the First Lady, also serving as a deputy assistant to the president.[4][5][7] Her responsibilities included managing Mrs. Bush's East Wing staff, coordinating public events, and acting as a liaison for projects such as the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, which she helped establish.[1][2][4] Rose's responsibilities paralleled those of the president's staff, excluding foreign policy and legislative development.[7]
Rose managed an office that included roles such as press secretary, event coordinator, and correspondence director.[7] In 1990, Rose coordinated Barbara Bush's trips, including visits to Europe and the Middle East in November.[7] She was also involved in organizing Barbara Bush's participation in the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992.[7] Rose designed the bookplate for Barbara Bush's publication, Millie's Book, which highlighted the First Family's dog, Millie, and included a dedication to Rose and two others.[5]
Rose's management style, described in a Washington Post article as direct and detail-oriented.[4] She worked long hours and mediated between Barbara Bush and external stakeholders, ensuring that decisions aligned with the First Lady's goals.[4]
Post-administration, Rose engaged in public speaking, board memberships, and personal projects.[7][5] From 1993 to 1998, she served as a commissioner on the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts.[3] During this period, she also served on the board of directors for the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and as a trustee for the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, positions she held from 1993 to 2000.[3]
