The passing of Betty Bloomer Ford, widow of the late President Gerald Ford, requires a moment of reflection. She will be remembered for her many contributions to women’s rights, health care and the arts.
Her first contribution is that, as a dancer for Martha Graham, she brought new awareness to the field of modern dance, an art forged and shaped largely by women. The presence of Betty Ford was palpable. Whenever we saw her on the TV screen as First Lady in the late 1970′s, we were aware of her strength and mindfulness of being.
Betty Ford put breast cancer on the map. While First Lady, she underwent a mastectomy. She did not hide her disease, but rather was public with her disclosure, encouraging women to have mammography and seek early care for this cancer.
As a mother, she raised interesting and independent children. She championed women’s rights and was an avid supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment. And, she participated in the effort to bring about a woman’s right to reproductive self-determination and the right to abortion.
She is – of course – the founder of the Betty Ford Center, which has long provided support and rehabilitation for persons with substance addition. Her commitment to this effort began with her own path to sobriety following her addiction to pain killers and alcohol.
She changed forever the role of First Lady, asking women to step out and seek the recognition and respect that men routinely expected. She remains for those of us old enough to remember her influence as one of the tall trees in a small forest of feminine heroes. For those of you too young to have a memory, take a moment and do a google search. She was a quiet, but oh so powerful voice in the creation of the society in which you now operate. Without women like Betty Ford, you might not be so free.
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