The Real Betty Ford

Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Ford (née Bloomer) born

Apr 8, 1918

Chicago, Illinois

Betty was a dancer and taught dance

Nov 8, 1934

In 1942, she married William C. Warren,[4] who worked for his father in insurance sales

Nov 8, 1942

Finally divorced

Sep 22, 1947

Divorce was uncommon back then.
Warren was an alcoholic, and in poor health. Just after Betty decided to file for divorce, he went into a coma. She took care of him for another two years as he convalesced, and they were finally divorced on September 22, 1947, on the grounds of “excessive, repeated cruelty“. They had no children.

Married Gerald Ford

Oct 15, 1948

On October 15, 1948, she married Gerald R. Ford Jr., a lawyer and World War II veteran, at Grace Episcopal Church, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Gerald Ford was then campaigning for what would be his first of 13 terms as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and the wedding was delayed until shortly before the elections because, as The New York Times reported, “Jerry was running for Congress and wasn’t sure how voters might feel about his marrying a divorced ex-dancer.”

women's freedom, emancipation, and empowerment smoking ad

Nov 8, 1971

Virginia Slims were introduced by Philip Morris in 1968 The slogans "You've come a long way" and later "It's a woman thing" and "Find your voice" were supposed to link smoking with "women's freedom, emancipation, and empowerment" (via). (I was four years old)
http://d1xcqlxj49e9dd.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/Slims14_1971.jpg?4a4bc9

Betty Ford becomes 1st lady

Aug 4, 1974

-"The saddest day of my life"
-She is thrusted into the spotlight
-Spoke out in support of abortion rights, women in politics, and the Equal Rights Amendment

Ford's inauguration

Aug 4, 1974

This picture was taken as I was sworn in as the 38th President of the United States by Chief Justice Warren Burger on August 9, 1974.
-Gerald Ford only person in American History to hold the office of Vice President and President without being elected to either office
http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/7862/276/1600/134405/Ford Inauguration 12-27-06.jpg

Republican Women Power luncheon - You've Come a Long Way, Baby!

Sep 24, 1974

First Lady Betty Ford makes remarks at a Candidate's Luncheon sponsored by Republican Women Power of Illinois. The theme of the luncheon was “You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby!” Conrad Hilton Hotel, Chicago, IL, September 24, 1974. (I was seven years old)

http://cbsnews1.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2011/07/09/4fcb1a7f-a643-11e2-a3f0-029118418759/thumbnail/620x350/4eb47446bac8f56245bc8beeae736084/BettyFord.jpg

Betty Ford undergoes a Mastectomy on cover of Newsweek

Sep 28, 1974

I was seven years old and breast cancer just wasn't "spoken about" until Betty came along.
-Newsweek printed a complete account of her surgery and treatment
-In light of what went on in in the Nixon White House Betty thought it was important to be as open and as transparent as possible

After the operation

Oct 4, 1974

Bethesda, Maryland President Gerald Ford during a visit with wife Betty Ford at Bethesda Naval Hospital after her operation for cancer.
I was 7 and never heard of breast cancer before.
http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2013/gallery/cancer-survivors/betty-ford-660.jpg

Betty Ford's 60 Minutes Interview

Jul 21, 1975

Daisy was 8
This interview caused much controversy

Betty Ford Delivers Concession Speech

Nov 3, 1976

-President Ford had laryngitis and couldn't deliver his concession speech congratulating Jimmy Carter

The Ford Family at the concession to Jimmy Carter

Nov 3, 1976

First Lady Betty Ford comforts her son John ('Jack') Ford as the family gathers in the Oval Office following the President's concession of the 1976 presidential election to Democratic candidate Jimmy Carter November 3, 1976 in Washington, DC
.http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/flash/Lens/2011/07/20110711_KM_Ford/480-1.jpg

Inauguration day (handing the reins to Jimmy Carter)

Jan 20, 1977

http://cdn.rsvlts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/BS-TE-INAUGURALPG-022.jpeg

Betty Ford Checks in Rehab

Apr 11, 1978

Daisy was almost 11
-Her family held an interventation to stop her addiction of alcohol and painkillers
-At first was very reluctant but then opened up to the public

The Times of My Life was published

Oct 8, 1978

I was 11

Not my power, but the power of the position, a power which could be used to help.

Oct 9, 1978

Push for ERA with LBJ

May 8, 1982

In 1982 Lady Bird Johnson joined Betty Ford for a final push towards the Equal Rights Amendment. at the Lincoln Memorial.
I was around 14. http://192.185.122.193/~carlanth/carl_admin/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/in-1982-lady-bird-johnson-joined-betty-ford-for-a-final-push-towards-the-equal-rights-amendment-at-the-lincoln-memorial.jpg

Betty Establishes the Nonprofit Betty Ford Center

Oct 3, 1982

I was 15

I’m really proud of this center.

Nov 8, 1987

I’m really proud of this center. And I’m really grateful for my own recovery, because with my recovery, I was able to help some other people come forward and address their own addictions. And I don’t think there’s anything as wonderful in life as being able to help someone else.

A Glad Awakening published

Sep 1, 1988

I was 21

Presidential Medal of Freedom

Nov 18, 1991

I was out of college in working in Business. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Betty_Ford_Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom.jpg/1280px-Betty_Ford_Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom.jpg

Congressional Medal of Honor

Oct 27, 1999

http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/images/avproj/new-images/P76975-28.jpg

Healing and Hope

Nov 10, 2003

The compelling and deeply personal stories of six women's journeys through alcoholism and drug addiction, with commentary by Betty Ford. (One of them was a schoolteacher.)
http://acelebrationofwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/BETTY-FORD-ADDICTION-WORK-AND-BOOKS.jpg

Helping celebrities like Keith Urban

Oct 18, 2006

People no longer have to feel ashamed.
http://assets-s3.usmagazine.com/uploads/assets/photo_galleries/regular_galleries/967-celebrity-rehab-centers/photos/1297267673_rehab-betty-ford-lg.jpg

Died in California

Jul 8, 2011

Died: July 8, 2011, Rancho Mirage, California, USA

Ford Center merged with Hazelden Foundation

Feb 10, 2014

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation has helped over 100,000 people including children

Nov 8, 2015

Rancho Mirage, CA

Questions

Nov 10, 2015

1) How would you describe Betty Ford's leadership? In what ways could her leadership be described as authentic?
2) How did critical life events play a role in the development of her leadership?
3) In what way is her leadership about serving the common good?
4) Self-Awareness and transparency are associated with authentic leadership. How does Betty Ford exhibit these qualities?