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Posted on Fri, Oct 5, 2012 : 2:07 p.m.

University of Michigan plans tribute to Betty Ford

By AnnArbor.com Staff

betty-ford.jpg

Betty Ford

official White House photo (public domain)

The University of Michigan plans a special tribute to Betty Ford on Thursday.

Titled "The Life and Legacy of Betty Ford, a University of Michigan Celebration," the event takes place at 3 p.m. Oct. 11 at Rackham Auditorium, 915 E. Washington St. It is free and open to the public.

An announcement from the university reads in part, "A passionate advocate of women's rights, Mrs. Ford engaged challenging social issues at great political risk and with a rare personal vulnerability. Her considerable impact on American life and culture has only deepened with time. "

The event includes:

• Keynote policy lecture by Ambassador Nancy Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

• Tribute remarks from U-M President Mary Sue Coleman, Michael Ford, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy Dean Susan Collins, and other special guests.

• Performance by Miki Orihara of the Martha Graham Dance Company. Ford studied dance under Martha Graham at Bennington College and later became a member of Graham’s concert group in New York City.

The announcement reads, "Ford's life was marked by her commitment to her husband, the late president Gerald R. Ford, family and many political and cultural issues, including breast cancer awareness, addiction treatment and feminism. She died July 8, 2011 at the age of 93."

Betty Ford's husband, President Gerald Ford, was a University of Michigan alumnus.

Comments

A2comments

Sat, Oct 6, 2012 : 11:22 a.m.

Betty Ford was a great lady and deserving of all tributes. The choice of Nancy Komen isn't great. Nancy Brinker founded a great organization that unfortunately alienated many supporters when it made some policy decisions. The founder herself had to step down from her position due to the scandal. Komen's fund raising is taking a big hit, notice how many organizations are supporting the cause but not via Komen. The organization aggressively sued other charities to protect its brand. Her $400,000 salary and over $133,000 in expenses, paid while she had a full time job, raised many eyebrows. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/02/13/komen-founder-nancy-brinker-s-puzzling-expense-report.html.

A2comments

Sat, Oct 6, 2012 : 11:23 a.m.

Should be Nancy Brinker in first paragraph.

Mermaidswim

Sat, Oct 6, 2012 : 10:31 a.m.

Sounds like a great event!