BIDDEFORD — How the struggles of others inspired her was the theme of a speech given by Jenna Bush Hager on Monday at the University of New England.

Hager, a contributing correspondent for NBC News’ “Today Show,” delivered the University of New England 2012 George and Barbara Bush Distinguished Lecture at the Harold Alfond Forum on the Biddeford campus. Monday’s event was the third annual talk since the lecture series began.

Hager is the daughter of former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush. She is the granddaughter of former President George H.W. Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush, for whom the lecture series is named.

Her grandparents attended Hager’s talk, entitled, “The Power of Compassion and How it Can Change Lives.”

Hager spoke about the extraordinary opportunities she had growing up as the granddaughter and daughter of past presidents. She spoke of the countries and cultures she traveled to and the famous people she met.

But the majority of her talk Hager devoted to people who are not famous, but inspired her the most.

Hager said through her work and lectures, such as the one at UNE, she wanted to share the stories of those living in poverty and with other hardships, to help inspire others to help those less fortunate.

One story Hager told was about Ana, a 17-year-old, single mother living in poverty in Latin America, who was born with HIV.

Hager said Ana was inspirational for many reasons, such as learning the necessary precautions to take to ensure her daughter, Beatrice, wouldn’t be born with the disease. Also, said Hager, Ana was inspirational because she didn’t view herself as sick, but simply said her disease was the situation she was dealt.

Another story Hager told was about Lydia, a single mother of six, who lives in Guatemala. According to Hager, despite the lushness of the land and the bounty of food produced in the country, 50 percent of the children suffer from chronic malnutrition. In Totnicapan, the area in which Lydia lives, the rate is 80 percent.

According to Hager, Lydia lives in a twig hut where she and her children sleep on two cots. The family lives on $5 a week, the money Lydia earns from producing cloth.

Despite the dire circumstances in which she and her family work, said Hager, Lydia walks four hours a week to pick up packets of nutritional supplements that she sprinkles on her children’s food to keep them healthy.

Hager also spoke about the children who lost parents in the twin towers of the World Trade Center in the 9/11 attacks and now attend America’s Camp. Despite their adversity, they have learned to heal through sharing stories and humor with one another at the camp.

While many people from throughout the Biddeford area attended Hager’s talk, she mostly addressed the college students. She said she hoped they would considering working to help others.

In response to a question about how to help others outside of the United States, Hager noted that it wasn’t necessary to leave the country to find ways to provide assistance. She said that there are many who live in poverty throughout the U.S. and in Maine.

The lecture coincided with “Family First for a First Family ”“ The Ties That Bind: A Family Album,” an exhibit honoring the life of former President George H.W. Bush, at the George and Barbara Bush Center Gallery at the University of New England Biddeford Campus.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.