I remember Betty Ford and how she impressed me.

[babylonsister]

I wasn't too politically aware in the 70s, but do remember Betty for a few things. She was pro-choice when it wasn't popular, she talked about breast cancer before anyone else did, and she went through a painful intervention, admitted to her addictions, and then did something about it. She was a woman who walked the walk.
I send my sympathies to her and their children; she just lost her best friend.

[SoCalDem]

1. She was a stylish woman too.. Understated, but stylish

[DaveJ]

2. I supported Ford over Cater when I was about 10 y/o

If Ford ran as a Democrat today he would win by flying colors. Today the U.S. has become so corrupt that even a Repuke from 30 years ago seems like a progressive.

I seriously don't base my biases on political affiliation. Ford was a thousand times better than what we have now.

Don't get me wrong. I want the Republican party to become extinct. It has been corrupted beyond repair. Even though the Repukes may have toyed with Imperialistic ideas in the 70s I don't think they ever imaged, or would have approved of, what has happened today.

[Gloria]

3. I met her during the campaign (around 1976) at the Eatontown Mall...

Eatontown, NJ. She was at one end of the mall and I shook her hand. She was very tiny!

Interestingly, in 1992 I saw Hillary Clinton at Rutgers. She was wearing a purple suit and after her speech, she walked along the line and I shook her hand. She also is very tiny and her skin was pale and almost translucent. I remember being very surprised at her appearance.

[Justitia]

4. I always cringe when I remember the broadcast of her drunk in the White House

No matter what her political party, I was appalled that the network(s?) decided to air that footage, it never should have been broadcast. I wouldn't even wish that on Pickles. Ok, maybe that hag Babs, but that's it! :P

Anyway, I always felt deep sympathy for her in that episode. She obviously had a very serious problem and I don't see how that broadcast served any purpose but to publicly humiliate her.

And yes, she remains unflinchingly pro-choice and lent her name to a cause that was still stigmatized at the time she did (alcoholism / substance abuse). She also spoke openly about psychiatric treatment, and was pretty open-minded and freely shared her opinion on many (then) controversial subjects. Conservatives did NOT like her at all.

As a wife, I'm very, very sorry for her today. My deepest condolences Mrs. Ford.

[cboy4]

5. Notice how she's sitting away from the Republicans?!

:)

[babylonsister]

6. That is quite a picture! Thanks for sharing. nt

[cboy4]

10. You're welcome. It's great, ha? I'm not sure when it was

taken, but it's hard to believe Betty turns 89 in April!!

http://www.who2.com/bettyford.html

edit...to correct my math! D'oh!

[Avalux]

7. The ladies on the "left bench" are the most lovely.

I admired Betty Ford quite a bit also. :hi:

[calimary]

8. She was the best thing about that brief presidency.

Betty Ford was, and still is, a really remarkable, wonderful, courageous woman. I was a big fan of hers. I still am.

[babylonsister]

14. I'm also a fan; she is a woman of grace and smarts, and she's

done it her way with not many apologies; live, learn, and then live it.

[Rowdyboy]

9. She had great class.....the kids were pretty regular, too, from what I recall

[loser_user]

12. Their son Steve was an actor...

Steve Ford was on The Young and the Restless for many years.

[madrchsod]

11. yes she was way ahead of her time

i too remember her dignity and her bravery. we had two fine women in that time,betty ford and rosalynn carter

[Olney Blue]

13. Betty saved more lives than Pickles can even dream about.

[fortyfeetunder]

15. A class act!

Betty Ford was just as unpretentious as her spouse, and carried herself with grace and dignity while First Lady and afterward.