University of Michigan plans tribute to Betty Ford

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.