ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Former First Lady Laura Bush is slated to be the keynote speaker at the 11th Annual National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation Dinner.

The NACDS Foundation said Thursday that Bush will address dinner attendees on December 1 at the Hilton New York Hotel in New York City.

A former teacher and librarian, Bush is an advocate for women’s health. The foundation noted that she has been an active participant in campaigns to raise awareness of breast cancer and heart disease in the United States and around the world.

Bush partnered with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in The Heart Truth campaign and the Red Dress project. She also traveled to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Panama to help launch international partnerships for breast cancer awareness and research in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

"Mrs. Bush is an ambassador for education, health care and human rights issues," NACDS Foundation president Edith Rosato said in a statement. "Her commitment and compassion in raising awareness for issues that impact women and children is unmatched. We look forward to Mrs. Bush’s insights and experiences, both as a former First Lady and as a humanitarian."

In other NACDS Foundation news, Temple University has honored Rosato with its 2009 Gallery of Success Award.

Rosato, who also serves as NACDS senior vice president of pharmacy affairs, is a 1982 graduate of the Temple University School of Pharmacy and was recognized for her achievements and leadership in the pharmacy profession. She has more than 30 years of experience in community pharmacy, the pharmaceutical industry and association management.