Betty Ford
Grand Rapids Legends Statue
Unveiled
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On Saturday, July 14, the anniversary of the birth of Gerald R. Ford, the Grand Rapids Community Legends' (
link, and scroll down
) statue of Betty Ford was unveiled. In attendance were three of the Ford children, Michael, Steven, and Susan, along with Legends committee members, military representatives, including sailors from the
USS Gerald R. Ford
, the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, and young boys and leaders from the Boy Scouts of America.
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Betty Ford's sons emphasized the stability Mrs. Ford offered her children while her husband served in Congress, and also her playfulness, sometimes as a prankster. After she assumed the role of First Lady, they felt she blossomed in that role, speaking publicly and candidly about her bout with breast cancer and later, addiction. She was praised by her sons for her perseverance through those more difficult times and her leadership on those issues and the Equal Rights Amendment.
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Sculptor
J. Brett Grill
, who also created the nearby statue of Gerald Ford, displays her dancer's grace in her step and in her extended hand. The statue is placed on the grounds of the Ford Presidential Museum, just south of the entrance, and, as Peter Secchia noted, "a little out in front of Jerry." She also stands right across the river from
Anna Sutherland Bissell
, whose statue stands along the riverwalk by the entrance to DeVos Place, dedicated in July 2016.
"Being ladylike does not require silence."
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Susan Ford, wearing flat shoes herself, examines the shoes of her mother's statue.
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Sculptor J. Brett Grill speaks prior to the unveiling.
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Mary Seeger, longtime GGRWHC board member, sometimes president, and strong supporter, serves on one of the Legends Project committees, the committee that chooses the people of historical significance in Grand Rapids that become one of the legends' statues.
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Thank you
to many friends of women's history who have contributed in 2018
to the GGRWHC so we can continue to
"uncover, preserve, and celebrate the rich history of women in our community."
If you have not yet renewed your support of GGRWHC for 2018 or joined as a brand-new supporter, click below!
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Hats off to the historical women who've shaped West Michigan!
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Please take a moment to forward this message to others you know who may be interested in women's history. If you've received this message as a forward, consider
joining our mailing list
in order to receive future updates about programming.
Thank you for your interest in preserving and celebrating the history of the many phenomenal women who've helped to shape West Michigan! If you aren't already a supporter of the Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council,
consider investing in our work as a volunteer or with an annual donation
. Visit our
website
for more information and the ability to
donate online.
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