Chances are, you know someone who has struggled with an addiction or mental illness. One of the people who helped shed light on these dark corners and lift the stigma is former First Lady Betty Ford, who resided in the White House from 1974-77.
After her husband left office, Betty Ford spoke out openly and frankly about her alcohol dependence and depression – conditions that, at the time, were so often kept a dark secret.
She didn't just talk the talk; she walked the walk. In 1982, she founded the Betty Ford Center and helped us think about addiction less as a moral failing and more as a medical condition in need of treatment. Because of her candor and frank talk, she has no doubt helped save lives.
While in the White House, she went public with her breast cancer and mastectomy, raising the visibility of a disease that was long considered a private matter, and was a strong advocate of the Equal Rights Amendment.
Then there's the Colorado connection. The Fords lived and played in our backyard for many years – and were longtime
members of Rocky Mountain PBS (!). They first came to the Rockies in 1968 on vacation and became extremely active in the Vail community. Gerald Ford, who passed away in 2006, helped put Colorado on the map as one of the premiere ski destinations in the world.
Next Monday at 9 p.m., be sure to watch "
Betty Ford: The Real Deal," a compelling profile of the former first lady. For the complete lineup of Women's History Month programming, check out
e-Promo. (Sign up at
rmpbs.org/promo).
We live in an age when people in the public realm use celebrity as a publicity stunt to advance their own personal interests. Betty Ford, in contrast, has used her celebrity in a raw, honest and personal way to destigmatize mental illness and addiction and help others get out of a hard place.
Do you agree? What does Betty Ford mean to you?
-Elizabeth
