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  3. April
  4. 8
  5. Betty Ford

Births on April 8

Betty Ford
1918Apr, 8

Betty Ford

Betty Ford, American wife of Gerald Ford, 40th First Lady of the United States (d. 2011)
Elizabeth Anne Ford (née Bloomer; formerly Warren; April 8, 1918 – July 8, 2011) was the first lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977, as the wife of President Gerald Ford. As first lady, she was active in social policy and set a precedent as a politically active presidential spouse. Ford also served as the second lady of the United States from 1973 to 1974.

Throughout her husband's term in office, she maintained high approval ratings despite opposition from some conservative Republicans who objected to her more moderate and liberal positions on social issues. Ford was noted for raising breast cancer awareness following her 1974 mastectomy. In addition, she was a passionate supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). As a supporter of abortion rights and a leader in the women's rights movement, she gained fame as one of the most candid first ladies in history, commenting on every hot-button issue of the time, including feminism, equal pay, the Equal Rights Amendment, sex, drugs, abortion, and gun control. She also raised awareness of addiction when in the 1970s, she announced her long-running battle with alcoholism and substance abuse, being the first first lady to do so.

Following her White House years, she continued to lobby for the ERA and remained active in the feminist movement. She was the founder, and served as the first chair of the board of directors, of the Betty Ford Center for substance abuse and addiction. She was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal (co-presentation with her husband on October 21, 1998) and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (presented 1991 by George H. W. Bush).

References

  • Betty Ford
  • Gerald Ford
  • First Lady of the United States

Choose Another Date

Events on 1918

  • 3Mar

    World War I

    Russia signs the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, agreeing to withdraw from World War I, and conceding German control of the Baltic States, Belarus and Ukraine. It also conceded Turkish control of Ardahan, Kars and Batumi.
  • 2May

    Chevrolet Motor Company

    General Motors acquires the Chevrolet Motor Company of Delaware.
  • 24Jun

    Montreal

    First airmail service in Canada from Montreal to Toronto.
  • 4Jul

    Nicholas II of Russia

    Bolsheviks kill Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and his family (Julian calendar date).
  • 9Nov

    Wilhelm II, German Emperor

    Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany abdicates after the German Revolution, and Germany is proclaimed a Republic.

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