Former First Lady Betty Ford Dies at 93

A news report by ABC 7 news stated earlier today that the former first lady of the United States Betty Ford has died. Wife of the late President Gerald Ford, who succeeded former President Richard Nixon amidst the Watergate Scandal, Betty Ford was a classy and admirably courageous woman.

When her husband suddenly took office as the U.S President in 1974, Betty Ford soon found herself in the limelight that she wasn't prepared for, but she assumed the role of First Lady with great strength and integrity. The first mark of her strength and courage came soon after the family moved into the White House, as she had to undergo a mastectomy upon being diagnosed with breast cancer. This was a time when people (especially women) had stigma about the disease, the procedure, and shied away from openly discussing such issues using the words "cancer" or "breast", or the mastectomy that may follow. Her action encouraged thousands of women in that year alone, to seek early detection of this deadly disease by getting mammogram. She possibly had saved hundreds of thousands if not millions of lives worldwide by this simple but brave action.

Not only that, Betty Ford courageously spoke out about equality for all people, as she openly supported the Equal Rights Amendment and encouraged women to work for what they believed in and wanted.

At a time when most people frowned at addiction but did little to help victims who indeed had a disease, Betty Ford once again put her private life in public, admitting to her battle with alcohol and drug addiction. She later helped to found the now famous Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California. Here, addicts could get the needed help to confront their demons and follow a path to sobriety.

I admired Betty Ford for her courage to do the things that no others attempted to. She was a woman who spoke her mind but still worked well with her high profile husband, and a woman who took action to correct the things she felt needed to be changed. You lived a long and I believe fruitful life Mrs. Ford! May your soul and those of the faithfully departed rest in peace!

Source:

Abc7 news