2024 Betty Ford Stamps

2024 Betty Ford
• Honors First Lady Betty Ford

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Value: 68¢ First Class Mail (Forever)
First Day of Issue: April 5, 2024
First Day City: Rancho Mirage, California
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Phosphor, Block Tag

History the stamp represents: Betty Ford was a champion of women’s rights, breast cancer awareness, and substance abuse treatment advocate. She was also first lady to the 38th president of the United States.

Elizabeth Anne “Betty” Bloomer was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 8, 1918. She became interested in dance at a young age and went so far as to study under the great Martha Graham when she was older. When Betty was just 16 years old, her father died, leaving her mother to become the family’s sole breadwinner. It was around this time that Betty became a women’s rights advocate.

After Betty’s first marriage ended, she met lawyer and World War II veteran, Gerald Ford Jr. They quickly fell in love and married on October 15, 1948. Betty became Ford’s number one supporter during his political career – first in the House of Representatives, then as vice president, and finally as president.

As first lady, Betty supported the Equal Rights Amendment and other worthy causes. When Ford ran during the 1976 election, she was so influential that campaign buttons encouraged people to “Vote for Betty’s Husband.” Ford ultimately lost reelection, but Betty stayed busy. In 1982, she opened the nonprofit rehab facility, Betty Ford Center, a testament to her life’s goal of helping as many people as she could.