"The search for human freedom can never be complete without freedom for women."
~Betty Ford
(Nemy, Enid Betty Ford, Former First Lady, Dies at 93)
"The search for human freedom can never be complete without freedom for women."
~Betty Ford
(Nemy, Enid Betty Ford, Former First Lady, Dies at 93)
"I was an ordinary woman who was called on stage at an extraordinary time. ... But through an accident of history, I had become interesting to people."
~Betty Ford
Since Gerald Ford was sworn in on August 9th, 1974, Betty heavily supported women's rights. Her mother influenced this idea, since Betty’s mother had to work hard to support her family after her father passed. Her strength influenced Betty’s interest in equal pay and rights. During Betty’s first marriage, her husband fell ill, and therefore she learned the hard way about all of the inequalities in the workplace.
"I suddenly was somebody, I wasn't just the suburban housewife taking care of the children and being the backup to this man who was out front."
~Betty Ford
After her mastectomy, Betty Ford became very open about her experience with cancer, something that was previously feared to be discussed. During this time, Betty realized how extensive her influence was, so she pushed for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.
(The Gerald Ford Foundation First Lady Betty Ford's Breast Cancer)
After Ford lost to Jimmy Carter, Betty began to struggle with addiction. She began to depend on the opioids she was taking, and was increasing her use of alcohol. Her family staged an intervention, and she was checked into the Long Beach Naval Hospital. After her detox, she fully disclosed her drug abuse to the public, and it registered that she had the platform to create the change needed for addicts. In 1982, Betty Ford opened the Betty Ford Center, a facility to help women with addictions. As she worked there, she made the link between HIV and drug abusers.
(Romano Betty Ford Center's Messy Path After Former First Lady's Death)
(UPI Former First Ladies Betty Ford and Lady Bird Johnson kick off a rally for Equal Rights)
"What man could afford to pay for all the things a wife does, when she's a cook, a mistress, a chauffeur, a nurse, a baby-sitter? But because of this, I feel women ought to have equal rights, equal Social Security, equal opportunities for education, an equal chance to establish credit."
~Betty Ford
With every adversity, Betty Ford had authenticity. She continuously broke the barriers to fight for her causes which affected so many people. She carved the pathway for future First Ladies to voice their opinions, and for that, Betty Ford is thought of as one of the most influential First Ladies.