1. BETTY FORD A Human Leader Laura Simmons Dr. Cheri Tillman HONS 1990

2. Personal Background  Born in Chicago Illinois on April 8, 1918.  Her father passed away when she was sixteen.  Professionally trained as a dancer—having performed in Carnegie Hall.  “Dancing was my happiness.”  Married William Warren in 1942, divorced five years later.  Married Gerald Ford in 1948

3. Why Famous?  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.

4. Awards and Honors  Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award – 1978  Hubert Humphrey Inspirational Award - The American Cancer Society – 1982  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)  Harding Award - National Arthritis Foundation - 1984 (the highest award from the Foundation for volunteer services)  Commitment to Life Award - AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) – 1985  Gold Key Award - National Council on Alcoholism – 1986  Freedom of Human Spirit Award - International Center for the Disabled – 1987  Citation of Layman for Distinguished Service - American Medical Association – 1989  Hall of Fame Award - International Women's Forum – 1991  Presidential Medal of Freedom - awarded by President Bush – 1991  Breast Cancer Awareness Lifetime Achievement Award - Columbia Hospital for Women, Washington, D.C. – 1995  National Samaritan Award - The Samaritan Institute, Denver, CO – 1995  Distinguished Service Award from the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, New York City (presented in Los Angeles) – 1995  American Health for Women, Women's Health Heo Award – 1997  American Institute for Public Service, Jefferson Award – 1997  The Michigan Women's Foundation, Women of Achievement & Courage – 1997  Women's International Center, Living Legacy Award – 1998  Ronald McDonald House Charities Award of Excellence – 1998  Congressional Gold Medal - 1999

5. Descriptions…  “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.”

6. Traits & Skills PositiveNegative Take Advantage of opportunitiesToo Liberal and Outspoken Strong-willedBad Influence/Role Model Outspoken“No Lady” Driven Passionate Humanitarian Spirit Lead By Example Un-afraid of a Challenge

7. Specific Situation  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.”

8. A “Personal” Problem  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.

9. Not So Personal Anymore…  Betty Ford threw herself wholeheartedly into the 1976 campaign  The pinched nerve began to cause her problems again  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.

10. Legacy  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

11. Sources  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/2006- 12/27/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