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[[Image:Betty_Ford.JPG|right|thumb|200px|First Lady Betty Ford]] '''Elizabeth Anne "Betty" Bloomer Warren Ford''' (April 8, 1918 - July 8, 2011) was the former [[First Lady]] of the [[United States]] from 1974-1977 and the wife of former [[President]] [[Gerald Ford]]. She was born in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]] and raised in Grand Rapids, [[Michigan]]. She attended Bennington [[College]] in [[Vermont]] where she studied [[dance]] and became a fashion model for the John Robert Powers firm. Bloomer later organized her own dance group and taught dance to handicapped children. <ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/ef38.html First Ladies]</ref>

[[Image:Betty_Ford.JPG|right|thumb|200px|First Lady Betty Ford]] '''Elizabeth Anne "Betty" Bloomer Warren Ford''' (April 8, 1918 - July 8, 2011) was the former [[First Lady]] of the [[United States]] from 1974-1977 and the wife of former [[President]] [[Gerald Ford]]. She was born in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]] and raised in Grand Rapids, [[Michigan]]. She attended Bennington [[College]] in [[Vermont]] where she studied [[dance]] and became a fashion model for the John Robert Powers firm. Bloomer later organized her own dance group and taught dance to handicapped children.<ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/ef38.html First Ladies]</ref>

Her first marriage, to William C. Warren, ended in divorce in 1947. She married Gerald Ford, then a [[lawyer]] and [[World War II]] veteran, on October 15, 1948. She would campaign for Ford in his twelve victorious runs for [[Congress]]. They had four children: Michael, John, Steven and Susan.  

Her first marriage, to William C. Warren, ended in divorce in 1947. She married Gerald Ford, then a [[lawyer]] and [[World War II]] veteran, on October 15, 1948. She would campaign for Ford in his twelve victorious runs for [[Congress]]. They had four children: Michael, John, Steven and Susan.  

On August 9, 1974, Gerald Ford - then serving as Vice President - took the oath of office as the 38th President of the [[United States]] after the resignation of President [[Richard Nixon]]. As First Lady, Betty Ford became a leader on women issues and was a strong advocate of the Equal Rights Amendment.

On August 9, 1974, Gerald Ford - then serving as Vice President - took the oath of office as the 38th President of the [[United States]] after the resignation of President [[Richard Nixon]]. As First Lady, Betty Ford became a leader on women issues and was a strong advocate of the Equal Rights Amendment.

In October of 1974 she was diagnosed with [[breast cancer]] and had to undergo radical surgery. She was known for publicly discussing her diagnosis and treatment. <ref>http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/grf/bbfbiop.asp</ref> ''"Maybe if I as First Lady could talk about it candidly and without embarrassment, many other people would be able to as well"'', she said.

In October 1974 she was diagnosed with [[breast cancer]] and had to undergo radical surgery. She was known for publicly discussing her diagnosis and treatment.<ref>http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/grf/bbfbiop.asp</ref> ''"Maybe if I as First Lady could talk about it candidly and without embarrassment, many other people would be able to as well"'', she said.

She also candidly shared her opinions on such provocative issues as [[abortion]] rights, pre-marital [[sex]], and [[marijuana]] use. In 1975, she accompanied the president in journeys to fourteen countries, from [[China]] to the [[Vatican]]. She made several speaking tours throughout the east and mid-west. Betty Ford became very popular as First Lady, to the point were during President Ford's reelection campaign in 1976, lapel buttons said "Betty’s Husband For President!"

She also candidly shared her opinions on such provocative issues as [[abortion]] rights, pre-marital [[sex]], and [[marijuana]] use. In 1975, she accompanied the president in journeys to fourteen countries, from [[China]] to the [[Vatican]]. She made several speaking tours throughout the east and mid-west. Betty Ford became very popular as First Lady, to the point were during President Ford's reelection campaign in 1976, lapel buttons said "Betty’s Husband For President!"

In 1982 she co-founded the Betty Ford Center at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, [[California]]. She raised funds to help research and design treatments for Americans in recovery from alcoholism and other drug dependency. In 1991 she was awarded the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] by President [[George H. W. Bush]] for providing "selfless, strong, and refreshing leadership on a number of issues." In 1999 President Ford and Betty Ford were awarded the [[Congressional Gold Medal]]. She retired as chair of the Betty Ford Foundation in 2005, and her daughter Susan took over the position.

In 1982 she co-founded the Betty Ford Center at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, [[California]]. She raised funds to help research and design treatments for Americans in recovery from alcoholism and other drug dependency. In 1991 she was awarded the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] by President [[George H. W. Bush]] for providing "selfless, strong, and refreshing leadership on a number of issues." In 1999 President Ford and Betty Ford were awarded the [[Congressional Gold Medal]]. She retired as chair of the Betty Ford Foundation in 2005, and her daughter Susan took over the position.

==External Links==

==External links==

[http://www.bettyfordcenter.org/ Betty Ford Center]

* [http://www.bettyfordcenter.org/ Betty Ford Center]

==References==

==References==

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[[category:First Ladies]]

[[Category:First Ladies]]

[[Category:Illinois]]

[[Category:Illinois]]

[[Category:Presidential Medal of Freedom award winners]]

[[Category:Presidential Medal of Freedom award winners]]