America’s First Ladies Conference – A Free Event Honoring Betty Ford

In Celebration of Betty Ford’s 50th Anniversary as First Lady

Join us for a FREE half-day conference featuring expert discussions on the historical impact of First Ladies, including Betty Ford.

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, the First Ladies Association for Research and Education (FLARE), and American University’s School of Public Affairs are excited to offer a free half-day conference at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, titled, “In Celebration of Betty Ford’s 50th Anniversary as First Lady.”

The half day conference is comprised of two panels and will focus on Betty Ford’s leadership as First Lady, as well as the historic 1984 conference – the first ever on First Ladies – convened by Mrs. Ford.

This event is a perfect pairing with the annual First Ladies Luncheon earlier in the day, which has a special program planned. (Open to the public, you do not need to attend the First Ladies Luncheon to join this event – all are invited!)

Speakers at the conference include:

• Susan Ford Bales, Author and daughter of President Gerald R. and Betty Ford.
• Diana Carlin, Professor Emerita of Communication at St. Louis University. She is co-author of S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies and Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women.
• Brooke Clement, Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum.
• Stacy Cordery, Professor of History, Iowa State University, Author, and Bibliographer.
• Myra Gutin, Professor Emerita of Communication at Rider University. She is the author ofThe President’s Partner: The First Lady in the Twentieth Century and Barbara Bush: Presidential Matriarch.
• Lisa McCubbin Hill, Author and Journalist.She is author of Betty Ford: First Lady, Women’s Advocate, Survivor, Trailblazer, and co-author with Clint Hill of:  Kennedy and Me; Five Presidents: My Extraordinary Journey with Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford; and My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy.
• Alison Jacknowitz, Interim Dean of the School of Public Affairs (SPA) at American University and a Professor in the Department of Public Administration and Policy.
• Anita McBride, Executive in Residence at American University, School of Public Affairs and Director of the First Ladies Initiative, and second term Chief of Staff to Laura Bush. She isco-author of S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies and Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women.
• Nancy Kegan Smith, Former Director of the Presidential Materials Division at the National Archives and Records Administration. She isco-author of S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies and Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women.
• Sheila Rabb Weidenfeld, Ford’s Press Secretary, an Emmy-award-winning television producer, diplomat and Chair of the C&O Canal Commission. She is the author of the book, First Lady’s Lady.

Space is limited and reservations are required.

Registration is open through Wednesday, April 24, 2024 or until event is full.

Can’t make it in person? Live stream this event here!