Betty Ford: A First Lady with a legacy wider and more lasting than her husband's

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT: A First Lady Whose Legacy Rivals Husband’s
By JENNIFER STEINHAUER
Published: December 31, 2006


(Michael Tweed/Reuters)
Betty Ford and former President Gerald R. Ford, in 2005.

....She has spent the last three decades living in a golf community and tending to her treatment center for alcohol and drugs. But her husband’s death has served as a catalyst for an American trip back through the 1970s.

Thrown into the role of first lady during a period of deep distrust in government, she fulfilled the role of honest arbiter of American family life and of the modern woman, speaking candidly on just about any subject she was asked about, both shocking and delighting the country.

She was a product and a symbol of the cultural and political times — doing the Bump along the corridors of the White House, donning a mood ring, chatting on her CB radio with the handle First Mama — 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 candor about her battle with breast cancer, which led to unprecedented awareness among American women about detecting the disease, and her later commitment to alcohol and substance abuse treatment, stemming from her own abuse history, set the stage for widespread acknowledgment and advocacy that is commonplace today.

Given her impact on these crucial health issues and her influence over the modern East Wing, Mrs. Ford’s effect on American culture may be far wider and more lasting than that of her husband, who served a mere 896 days, much of it spent trying to restore the dignity of the office of the president....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/31/us/31betty.html?hp&ex=1167541200&en=b8de748cc768b88a&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Erika]

1. She's one classy lady

Pro ERA and Pro Choice. and Pro Woman.

Laura looks like a slug compared to her.

[catzies]

2. I read that today & recalled those memories in my pre-teen years

I thought she was a great First Lady for the times.

[BlackVelvetElvis]

3. Good article.

I remember how controversial she was and she did what she wanted anyway. That took balls.
Its hard to see how elderly and frail she appears now. I will keep her in my thoughts.

[cornermouse]

4. She was a real person and she was human.

She made mistakes just like we all do. For some reason that's comforting. It took a lot of courage to bring up topics that were traditionally taboo.

Did you see the picture of her dancing on a huge table? They said she was a member of Martha Graham's dance troupe in her early days.

She looked so tiny and fragile. For some reason, listening to Bush and the other republicans try to make political hay is very repulsive.

[Blue_In_AK]

5. Betty Ford is probably my favorite first lady.

She's a very classy woman.

[Hoosier Dem]

6. She's been one of my favorite First ladies in my lifetime...

I was too young for Jackie Kennedy, but I have always thought that Betty Ford was a great First Lady.

She always was like "The Cool Mom" in the neighborhood. I remember her standing up for ERA, being openly pro-choice, and her playing on the CB radio. She even had the guts top say that her daughter probably had had pre-marital sex (though, if I were Susan, I think I'd be mortified if my mom had said that about me!) back in 1976, there were even campaign buttons that said "Betty's Husband for President"

Later, when we learned about the cancer and her dependency, we saw Betty Ford through a new lens: a woman of courage. I dont think a lot of the younger generation realizes what a big deal it was for her to openly discuss her alocholism and prescription dependency.

You have to give credit to jerry Ford, though: he let Betty be Betty. He could have insisted she keep her views quiet until they were retired (like Reagan and Poppy Bush did), but he let her have her opinions. And he never tried to distance himself from her activism.

Watching her tonight, I couldn't believe how old and frail she looked. My heart just went out to her. It would be bad enough to bury the love of your life. How much worse must it be do have to do your grieving in public?

[cornermouse]

7. You said it best.

[etherealtruth]

9. Wonderful ...

I suspect you have perfectly described how many of us feel and why.

Her personal loss and pain speaks to many of us, here.

Thanks for the great post

[DeepModem Mom]

10. Thanks for a lovely post. nt

[WiseButAngrySara]

13. Let me add to the praise of your eloquent post! Very well stated,..n/t

[DeepModem Mom]

8. a.m. kick for Betty

[libnnc]

11. Between her being open about her breast cancer and

problems with substance abuse, the number of lives she's saved over the years is literally incalculable.

I was a little kid during her time in the White House and my mother was a volunteer with the American Cancer Society when Betty went public with her cancer. Before that, breast cancer was something that went unspoken. I remember the effect her honesty and openness had on the efforts of the American Cancer Society's public awareness campaign about women's self examinations. Betty Ford's help was invaluable.

Besides Eleanor Roosevelt, I'd say Betty Ford has done the most for people all over the world.

[WiseButAngrySara]

12. Thank you Betty Ford! You are one fine and gracious lady! ..n/t