Laura Bush has been somewhat of a silent-yet-powerful force on women’s issues during her time in the White House.

She said she never realized she would have such a huge platform from which to work on women’s issues, until after the September 11, 2001, attacks, and her work in Afghanistan.

"Somehow I just never thought I would have that much – be able to shine such a spotlight on issues, as I’ve been able to," Bush said during an interview on “FOX News Sunday.”

Click here to watch FOX News video excerpts.

The First Lady has worked on behalf of women and young girls in Afghanistan and other troubled regions for years. She has strived to provide better education to women in various areas, and to empower them to start their own businesses and have more confidence in themselves.

"The days of the burqa aren’t over," Bush said, noting that some women still wear the heavy covering over their bodies and faces because they want to, but others because they’re afraid not to.

She said she’s afraid that the strides that have been made in Afghanistan may be lost if the international community doesn’t step up.

Last January, she met with women parliamentarians from Afghanistan, and “they said they were afraid that this was their only chance and if they can’t make it now, then they just don’t know if they’ll ever be able to.”

"Afghanistan and Iraq, both have the opportunities, if they can seize the moment, where they can build real democracies where the rights of every person in those countries is respected."

Bush was also angered by that Iraqi reporter who threw both of his shoes at her husband during a recent visit to Baghdad.

"Of course I wasn’t amused. It was an assault," she said. Even though President Bush was agile enough to duck the incoming shoe, she said, "it is an assault and I think it should be treated that way."

She also defended her husband (as did Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice), who has come under fire of a different sort in recent months for his handling of the economy, among other complaints. The First Lady said she’s proud of the people who have served in his administration, and, on occasion, when her husband is feeling sorry for himself on the job he’s doing, she tells him to buck up, this is the job he asked for.

So what does she say to those who say the president’s administration was a failure?

"I know it’s not," Bush responded. "I think history will judge and we’ll see later."

"My husband responded in a way that’s kept our country safe since September 11 and I think that’s very important."

When asked if there’s anything she’d like to get off her chest after eight long years, she took aim at the press: "Do I think the press is fair? No, absolutely not. But you are, Chris, so thanks a lot."

Here’s Laura Bush talking about the influence she’s had on women’s issues, and other topics:

Here’s video of Laura Bush defending her husband and his legacy: