Expert Panelists Wowed the House With Stories of Betty Ford's Impact

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation partnered with three impressive organizations to give a free presentation on the work of First Ladies in history, specifically focused on Betty Ford.

The Foundation, along with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, the First Ladies Association for Research and Education (FLARE), and American University’s School of Public Affairs kicked off the half-day conference, immediately following the First Ladies Luncheon.

Watch the Program Here

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

Two panels focused 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.

It was a special glimpse at history, as attendees watched never-seen-before clips from the 1984 conference on the very stage in Grand Rapids where it originally took place.

Speakers treated attendees with different perspectives on Betty's work and life as First Lady, and included:

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 U.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 is co-author of U.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 U.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.