Laura Simmons
Dr. Cheri Tillman
HONS 1990
BETTY FORD
A Human Leader
Personal Background
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Born in Chicago Illinois on April 8, 1918.
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Her father passed away when she was sixteen.
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Professionally trained as a
dancer—having performed
in Carnegie Hall.
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“Dancing was my happiness.”
Married William Warren in
1942, divorced five years
later.
Married Gerald Ford in
1948
Why Famous?
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Famous by association…
Brought into the public eye when
husband Gerald R. Ford became
president in 1974.
Betty Ford took full advantage of the intensely
public position of First Lady
She was an asset to her husband’s career but, she
made it clear that she had opinions of her own.
Awards and Honors
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Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award – 1978
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Hubert Humphrey Inspirational Award - The American Cancer Society – 1982
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Komen Foundation Award - The Susan G. Komen Foundation - 1983 (this award, given for support of breast cancer research and education is
now called the Betty Ford Award)
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Harding Award - National Arthritis Foundation - 1984 (the highest award from the Foundation for volunteer services)
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Commitment to Life Award - AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) – 1985
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Gold Key Award - National Council on Alcoholism – 1986
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Freedom of Human Spirit Award - International Center for the Disabled – 1987
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Citation of Layman for Distinguished Service - American Medical Association – 1989
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Hall of Fame Award - International Women's Forum – 1991
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Presidential Medal of Freedom - awarded by President Bush – 1991
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Breast Cancer Awareness Lifetime Achievement Award - Columbia Hospital for Women, Washington, D.C. – 1995
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National Samaritan Award - The Samaritan Institute, Denver, CO – 1995
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Distinguished Service Award from the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, New York City (presented in Los Angeles) – 1995
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American Health for Women, Women's Health Heo Award – 1997
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American Institute for Public Service, Jefferson Award – 1997
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The Michigan Women's Foundation, Women of Achievement & Courage – 1997
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Women's International Center, Living Legacy Award – 1998
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Ronald McDonald House Charities Award of Excellence – 1998
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Congressional Gold Medal - 1999
Descriptions…
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“A housewife who argued passionately for equal
rights for women, a mother of four who mused
about drugs, abortion and premarital sex aloud
and without regret.”
“Her gift for giving is legendary, her outreach
powerful, her honesty unparalleled.”
“She had the self-confidence to express herself with
humor and forthrightness whether speaking to
friends or to the public.”
Traits & Skills
Positive
Negative
Take Advantage of opportunities Too Liberal and Outspoken
Strong-willed
Bad Influence/Role Model
Outspoken
“No Lady”
Driven
Passionate
Humanitarian Spirit
Lead By Example
Un-afraid of a Challenge
Specific Situation
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Mastectomy for breast cancer on September 28,
1974.
Open about an illness that was “just not discussed”
“When other women have this same operation, it
doesn’t make any headlines, but the fact that I was the
wife of the President put it in headlines 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.”
A “Personal” Problem
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1964
Pain in her neck
Diagnosed as a pinched nerve.
Keep her in bed for weeks.
Developed arthritis
Put on painkillers
Addicted
Spend more time alone, developed a drinking problem
Psychiatrist
Refused to admit that she had a problem with pills or
alcohol.
Not So Personal Anymore…
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Betty Ford threw herself wholeheartedly into the 1976 campaign
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The pinched nerve began to cause her problems again
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Used painkillers heavily
Her speech was sometimes slurred during appearances
Years After the White House…
Often left alone at retirement home in California
She countered her loneliness with alcohol and pills.
Her family became alarmed
In 1978 they had an intervention.
Long Beach Naval Hospital
The treatment was tough, but she later acknowledged that it
probably saved her life.
Legacy
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Betty Ford Clinic for substance abuse recovery
The Times of My Life in 1978
Betty: A Glad Awakening in 1987
The Betty Ford Cancer Research Center at
Cedars Sinai Hospital, Los Angeles, CA - 1978
The Betty Ford Center for Comprehensive Breast Diagnosis
at Columbia Hospital for Women, Washington, D.C. - 1980
The Betty Ford Center for Cancer Prevention and Screening
at Blodgett Memorial Medical Center, Grand Rapids, MI 1987
The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, Colorado - 1989
Sources
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http://www.ford.utexas.edu/avproj/hseries/h48-1b.gif
http://www.whitehousehistory.org/04/subs_pph/images/up
loads/38/145.jpg
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/200612/27/xin_291203280848324969748.jpg
http://www.who2.com/bettyford.html
http://www.ford.utexas.edu/grf/bbfaward.asp
http://www.ford.utexas.edu/grf/bbfbiop.asp
http://www.infoplease.com/biography/var/bettyford.html
http://www.wic.org/bio/bford.htm
http://www.answers.com/topic/betty-ford
http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?bio
graphy=39
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/ef38.html