Betty Ford
Betty Ford was a strong personality in her own right who didn’t shy away from contentious themes. She freely acknowledged her mental treatment, advocated for women’s equality, argued that premarital sex could reduce divorce rates, and backed the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade.
When she opted to be open about her treatment for breast cancer in 1974, she was possibly the first First Lady to be candid with the public about her health difficulties. Despite having chemotherapy, she continued to execute all of her responsibilities. She struggled with drug and alcohol addiction.
Still, she completed treatment and co-founded the Betty Ford Center for Substance Abuse. For her contributions to raising public awareness and rehabilitation of drug and alcohol addiction, George H.W. Bush bestowed her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1991.
hollywoodreporter.com