In Betty Ford's brief and unexpected reign as First Lady she broke the mold. She was a pro-choice Republican who became the first First Lady to take on a feminist agenda and differ publicly with her husband. The first divorced First Lady, Mrs. Ford was a career woman who danced with the Martha Graham dance troupe before marrying the handsome, plainspoken Gerald Ford. Coming to office in the wake of the Watergate scandal and President Nixon's resignation, Betty Ford and her family were a breath of fresh air in the White House. The public was treated to scenes of a real American family, funny, casual, enjoying life. She and her husband loved to throw parties and open up the White House. Her ability to be open and honest about her battles with breast cancer and drug and alcohol abuse saved millions of lives. It was an incredible and sometimes painful journey. Mrs. Ford, her four children, family friends, White House colleagues and historians discuss with amazing candor and sensitivity the life and times of Betty Ford, her time as First Lady and her impact on American women and their families.
