The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum, in partnership with the First Ladies Association for Research and Education (FLARE) and American University’s School of Public Affairs, proudly hosted a free conference commemorating the enduring influence of first ladies in American history, with a special focus on the contributions of Betty Ford on Friday, April 26, at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, MI.

Titled “In Celebration of Betty Ford’s 50th Anniversary as First Lady,” the event was FLARE’s first national conference.

The half-day conference featured two panels that focused on Betty Ford’s leadership as first lady, as well as the historic 1984 conference – the first ever on first ladies – convened by Mrs. Ford.

National experts on First Ladies participated, including Susan Ford Bales, daughter of President and Betty Ford, Anita McBride, second term chief of staff for Laura Bush, and other celebrated women who have published books on first ladies.

“We remember Betty Ford as the pioneer who started the systematic academic study of First Ladies,” said Gleaves Whitney, executive director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.

“We are proud to host the 40-year commemoration of a great event that took place right here on the Ford stage in Grand Rapids, Michigan.”

This conference builds upon the legacy of the historic 1984 conference, convened and moderated by Mrs. Ford herself, which explored the multifaceted responsibilities and impacts of first ladies. 

“Hosting the FLARE conference underscores our commitment to fostering collaboration, empowering women's voices and honoring the lasting legacy of the indomitable Betty Ford," said Brooke Clement, director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum.

"FLARE is honored to host its first national conference with our esteemed partners, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, and American University’s School of Public Affairs. This landmark event brought together an accomplished group of first ladies' scholars, family, staff and the public to commemorate Betty Ford's leadership, her groundbreaking conference on first ladies in 1984 and the important contributions of First Ladies," said FLARE President Nancy Kegan Smith.

The conference will featured national experts, including:

• Susan Ford Bales, Author and daughter of President Gerald R. and Betty Ford.

• Diana Carlin, Professor Emerita of St. Louis University. She is co-author of U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies and Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women.

• Brooke Clement, Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum.

• Dr. Stacy Cordery, Professor of History, Iowa State University, Author, and Bibliographer.

• Myra Gutin, Professor Emerita of Communication at Rider University. She is the author of The

President's Partner: The First Lady in the Twentieth Century and Barbara Bush: Presidential Matriarch.

• Lisa McCubbin Hill, Journalist and author of Betty Ford: First Lady, Women’s Advocate, Survivor, Trailblazer, and co-author of: Mrs. Kennedy and Me; Five Presidents: My Extraordinary Journey with Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford; and My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy.

• Alison Jacknowitz, Interim Dean of the School of Public Affairs at American University and Professor in the Department of Public Administration and Policy.

• Anita McBride, Executive in Residence at American University, School of Public Affairs and Director of the First Ladies Initiative, and second term Chief of Staff to Laura Bush. She is co-author of U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies and Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women.

• Nancy Kegan Smith, Former Director of the Presidential Materials Division at the National Archives and Records Administration. She is co-author of U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies and Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women.

• Sheila Rabb Weidenfeld, Mrs. Ford's Press Secretary, an Emmy-award-winning television producer, diplomat, and Chair of the C&O Canal Commission. She is the author of the book, First Lady’s Lady.