RIP Betty Ford

Former First Lady Betty Ford Dies at Age 93.

Betty Ford served as First Lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977. During her time in the White House, Ford was an outspoken advocate of women’s rights — encouraging the appointment of more women to senior government posts, supporting the U.N. International Women’s Year in 1975, and supporting passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.

In 1982, Mrs. Ford, together with Ambassador Leonard Firestone, founded the non-profit Betty Ford Center at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California. Today, the Betty Ford Center is regarded as one of the top treatment facilities in the world.

“I was deeply saddened this afternoon when I heard of Betty Ford’s death,” fellow former first lady Nancy Reagan said in a statement. “She has been an inspiration to so many through her efforts to educate women about breast cancer and her wonderful work at the Betty Ford Center.”

She worked tirelessly with grace. Breast cancer, arthritis, alcohol and prescription drugs…they all took their toll her. She took a bad deal and turned it into a positive action by founding the Betty Ford Center. She could have easily lived her life in the confines of comfort, but she chose to make a difference.

PssttCmere thought Mr. & Mrs. Ford were doing well in Heaven. I agree. They sure were happy on Earth.

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NomNomNom Says:

July 8, 2011 at 8:46 pm

Even after she was no longer First Lady she worked to secure the passage of the ERA. I will never forget the day congress failed to ratify it: my first realization that the 2 parties were really one party. She also publicly supported Roe v Wade, though Pres. Ford did not support either. A fine First Lady: the best I can remember.
http://lusciousjudy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/betty_ford_dress.jpg

mcnorman Says:

July 9, 2011 at 7:03 am
Nom, she really was a unique woman. She was genuine. As you said, her views were opposed to party views, but she carried on anyway. Unassuming, sincere, generous are but a few words that I believe would aptly describe Betty Ford.

Mary Says:

July 8, 2011 at 9:23 pm

A woman for all seasons. May the Lord rejoice in her homecoming.

leslie Says:

July 8, 2011 at 9:56 pm
Mary, What a lovely thing to say.

Thank you for thinking that.
1. Mary Says:
  
  July 9, 2011 at 6:46 pm
  leslie,
  
  I remember what you did for your father when he was hospitalzed and couldn’t sleep. Favorable attention to my comment from one such as you means a lot..
mcnorman Says:

July 9, 2011 at 7:04 am
A woman for all seasons

So true.
1. Mary Says:
  
  July 9, 2011 at 6:48 pm
  Let’s not hold our collective breath waiting for a tribute from manzilla.
  1. mcnorman Says:
    
    July 10, 2011 at 7:17 am
    Of course we can’t wait for mooch to say anything Mary. She is the most classless, self centered, entitled FLOTUS that we have ever had imo.
  2. Mary Says:
    
    July 10, 2011 at 5:26 pm
    You’ve got it in one, McN. She’s just jumped up trash. Affirmative action’s finest.
  3. mcnorman Says:
    
    July 10, 2011 at 7:52 pm
    Affirmative action gave many opportunities and they moved on beyond the racial issues. It’s disheartening that this woman who was given so much is such a loser.
  4. mcnorman Says:
    
    July 10, 2011 at 7:54 pm

mb3 daoudi Says:

July 9, 2011 at 3:54 am

Betty and Jerry will be deeply missed in the Vail Valley (their 2nd home for some 40+ years). As an everyday working stiff I had the luxury of lunching with the President and First Lady, attending the Bravo concerts at Vail Ford amphitheater with them and driving the children to Denver airport. No, they never knew me, but thats the kind of everyday people they were. I remember Betty out in front of the house doing her own gardening and waving as I drove by. How many 1st Ladies do their own gardening?

bilal Says:

July 9, 2011 at 4:33 am

Betty Ford was a trailblazer. Her openess and candor with her bout with breast cancer just weeks after her husband took office was responsible for bringing awareness to a disease that was never talked about, and enabling other women to feel able to talk about it openly and get the medical attention they needed. It has been written that after she went public, there was an increase in the number of mamograms. Her later struggles with alcohol and drug dependancy made it aware that no matter what your station in life and who you were, it could happen to anyone. She truly left the world a better place with her willingness to be open to discuss her struggles in the national spotlight. God rest your soul, Mrs. Ford. You will be missed.