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Betty's Buttons

Over the campaign, many people produced memorabilia to commemorate Betty's work on the campaign trail. They were produced across the country and there are many different designs. Which one is your favourite?

Button with a white background and a black and white picture of Betty Ford with the caption First Mama

FIRST MAMA

Following her CB radio handle, First Momma, these buttons appeared nationwide.

Button badge that reads Keep Betty in the White House. White background, green text

KEEP BETTY IN THE WHITE HOUSE

This was the most popular button of the campaign. Many different versions appeared with the same slogan.

Button that reads Betty Yes! Jerry No! in red text on white background

BETTY YES! JERRY NO!

Variants of this button were produced by the Washington State Women's Political Caucus.

Image of Gerald Ford with caption I'm voting for Betty's husband in red text

I'M VOTING FOR BETTY'S HUSBAND

This button was a design knock off of official buttons which read 'For Peace and Freedom'.

Image of Betty Ford with the text For First Lady in red

FOR FIRST LADY

These buttons saw many variations in colour, size and the image used of Betty.

Button with blue background and white lettering that reads Betty's Husband for President

BETTY'S HUSBAND FOR PRESIDENT

The first of these buttons was published by the GOP Feminist Caucus, Minnesota.

Fun Facts!

First Momma: Betty on CB

betty-fords-first-mama-purse-

Betty and her team devised a new tactic for attracting voters. They took to the 'CB' radio system, mostly used by truckers to campaign over airwaves. This proved a very popular decision and Betty was given the call sign of 'First Mama'. The First Lady is often seen as the nation's mother too, so during the bicentennial celebrations, Betty was front and centre. The bag on the left is an example of a different kind of memorabilia produced during the campaign.

Above: A bicentennial celebration bag designed for Betty Ford.

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