Betty Ford - 1918-2011
American First Lady, Political Activist, Charity Worker and Author
It was once my opinion that the wife of the President of the United States did little more than look presentable in a twin-set & pearls, smile, wave and be pictured kissing her husband on special occasions. That was before I started to read about Betty Ford.
Betty was the wife of President Gerald Ford, who led the U.S.A. from 1975 to 1977. Throughout her time as First Lady, Betty openly commented on topical issues and was widely opposed by many conservative Republicans, who did not appreciate her liberal views.
Betty and her husband believed themselves to be equal partners in their marriage. She was a feminist, who strongly supported the equality of women in society. During the 1970s, Betty was a prominent activist in the Women's Movement and was a lobbiest for the Equal Rights Amendment. She also made statements about being pro-choice on abortion, endorsed the medicinal use of cannabis, supported the campaign for equal pay and spoke candidly about her thoughts on gun control. While her views were abhorrent to some, opinion polls during Gerald's presidency were always favourable, 75% saying they supported the First Lady.
Whilst she was First Lady, Betty was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent treatment, including a mastectomy. Betty was open about her illness with the public, this raised awareness of the illness and raised the number of women diagnosed with having breast cancer, as the media's focus on her illness prompted more to check for lumps and seek medical attention for any irregularities. After her recovery, Betty continued to support cancer charities and to raise awareness of the illness.
I was the wife of the President... and brought before the public this particular experience I was going through. It made a lot of women realize that it could happen to them. I'm sure I've saved at least one person — maybe more.
Betty Ford
By the late 1970s, Betty had become addicted to alcohol and prescription drugs. In 1978, Gerald and other members of the Ford family decided to intervene, her husband Gerald telling her "You know, we love you too much to let this happen". Betty was admitted to hospital and treated for her substance addiction and dependence. Following her release from treatment, Betty established The Betty Ford Centre, which to this day operates as a not-for-profit recovery programme, offering both inpatient and outpatient services, as well as a support and education programme for those close to people with drug and alcohol addictions. It is this that really became Betty's life work, she wrote a number of books on the subject, campaigned for awareness of the cause and effect of substance misuse and left a wonderful legacy of hope for those in need.
I'm very honoured and proud to be the No. 2 in the Ford family, I'm Betty Ford's husband.
Gerald Ford
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