In Memory

Our beloved former First Lady, Elizabeth Ann Bloomer Warren Ford, better known as Betty Ford passed away this week at age 93. While some may not realize it, this quiet woman was a pioneer for her time.

She was the first to publicly admit to having breast cancer. Here's what she said, "When other women have this same operation, it doesn't make any headlines," she told Time magazine. "But the fact that I was the wife of the President put it in headlines and brought before the public this particular experience I was going through. It made a lot of women realize that it could happen to them. I'm sure I've saved at least one person—maybe more."

Women all over the world who have battled this disease have her to thank for bringing a "private" issue to the fore front, it is estimated that in 1974 she saved hundreds of lives after she spoke openly about her breast cancer.

Betty Ford through the years.

She also admitted to being an alcoholic and was responsible for creating the world renowned Betty Ford Center that bears her name. This clinic helps people from all walks of life battle drug, alcohol abuse. She was very proud of her sobriety.

She was also the first First Lady to speak openly about a woman's right to choose, she believed in equal rights for woman and equal pay for women. Needless to say she wasn't popular with conservative Republicans, but she was adored by most Americans and especially women!

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P.S.  Sorry for being out of touch this week, I was really sick, I was only able to manage to look at a few posts and then had to crawl back to bed . . .