Betty Ford Dies At 93

I can't think of any other woman who has dared to use her public position to front more personal, and often difficult issues than Betty Ford.  Lukcily her work will live on in the many organizations she has help found or supported during her life time.

As a new First Lady, she certainly made some waves in the early 70's for speaking candidly about issues like abortion, premarital sex and equal rights, as well as publicly discussing her diagnosis of breast cancer. Successfully so, though, and earning quite an approval rating amond the American people.  But to then take the step to publicly reveal and openly discuss her own addiction to alcohol and pain killers took some real guts.  Where others would hide out and hope their "faults" would not be discovered by the public, she openly spoke about her illness, and after recovering, continued her work for adequate treatment for alcohol and drug addictions.   Obvious today by the condolences by celeberties who have sought treatment at the centers she co-founded, The Betty Ford Centers has helped countless people so far, and will continue to treat addicts in years to come.

I think we can all learn something from how she lived her life, both privately and publicly.  May her legacy live on, and may she rest in peace.