WOMEN IN HISTORY - BETTY FORD

Wife of Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States

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DATE OF BIRTH

April 8, 1918

PLACE OF BIRTH

Chicago, Illinois

DATE OF DEATH

July 8, 2011

PLACE OF DEATH

Rancho Mirage, California

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Betty Ford started out as a dancer and model, but became First Lady when her husband, Gerald Ford became president after the resignation of Richard Nixon.  Betty Ford was known as being outspoken for her support of the Equal Rights Amendment and reproductive rights.  She openly talked about her diagnosis of breast cancer and, later, her struggles with substance abuse.  She was co-founder of the Betty Ford Center for addiction treatment.