Betty Ford : First Lady, women's advocate, survivor, trailblazer Cover Image

Book

Betty Ford : First Lady, women's advocate, survivor, trailblazer / Lisa McCubbin ; foreword by Susan Ford Bales.

McCubbin, Lisa, (author.). Ford, Susan, 1957- (writer of foreword.).

Summary:

Thrust onto the world stage under extraordinary circumstances, Betty Ford refused to be silenced by her critics as a First Lady. She publicly championed equal rights for women, and spoke out about issues that had previously been taboo: breast cancer, depression, abortion, and sexuality. After a painful intervention by her family, she admitted her own addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs and made a courageous decision to speak out publicly. In 1982 she co-founded the Betty Ford Center, which revolutionized treatment for alcoholism and inspired the modern concept of recovery. McCubbin follows Gerald and Betty Ford from Michigan to the White House, and shows how their relationship was built on trust, respect, and an unquantifiable chemistry. -- adapted from publisher info

Record details

ISBN: 9781501164682
ISBN: 1501164686
ISBN: 9781501164743
ISBN: 1501164740
Physical Description: xvii, 411 pages, 32 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 24 cm
Edition: First Gallery Books hardcover edition.
Publisher: New York, NY : Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 2018.
Copyright: ©2018

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [357]-392) and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

Prologue: "We're doing this because we love you" -- Part one: Betty Ford, dancer -- The bloomer girl -- The Martha Graham of Grand Rapids -- The five-year misunderstanding -- A courtship and a campaign -- Part two: Betty Ford, Washington woman -- A congressman's wife -- Wife and mother -- A second mother -- "Mom's really upset; you need to go fix it" -- The Nixon White House -- A five-dollar bet -- Betty Ford, Second Lady -- The unthinkable happens -- Part three: Betty Ford, First Lady -- The Ford White House -- Going public with breast cancer -- A reluctant role model -- The First Lady speaks out -- Two assassination attempts -- "Betty's husband for President!" -- Last days in the White House -- Part four: Betty Ford, after the White House -- "Kiss today goodbye" -- A downward spiral -- The turning point -- The intervention and treatment -- Recovery -- The Betty Ford Center -- Betty Ford, the legacy.