About one month after becoming First Lady, Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer. A year later, Ford had survived and was thriving as a leader and a health advocate. Ford gave speeches to the American Cancer Society about the taboo of breast cancer. She helped kick off America's first celebrations of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout her tenure as First Lady, Ford pushed for the ERA -- legislation that could have helped shield women from sexist medical discrimination. 

These artifacts honor Betty Ford's rich legacy in and beyond the White House.