First Lady Jill Biden in Grand Rapids: 'women's health is underfunded'
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — First Lady Jill Biden didn't let feeling under the weather stop her from making a quick appearance in West Michigan Friday.
The first lady stopped in Grand Rapids at the J.W. Marriott to speak at the Annual First Ladies Luncheon.
Friday marked the first time ever a sitting first lady has joined to keynote this event surrounding women’s health.
The ballroom was filled with women Friday for the luncheon, while Jill Biden took to the podium.
“I woke up this morning feeling a little under the weather," First Lady Jill Biden said. "Then I thought, what would Betty ford do, so I got myself up and I got myself together.”
“She still came and that pretty much shows the spirit of Doctor Biden," April Hunt, Communications Strategist for the Gerald R. Ford Foundation said.
It's the 12th year the luncheon has been held commemorating former First Lady Betty Ford, this year marking a major milestone as the 50th anniversary of her cancer diagnosis in 1974.
“There was a time when the words breast cancer would never be uttered publicly, especially by a first lady and then ladies and gentlemen there was Betty," Susan Ford Bales, Betty Ford's daughter said.
Susan took to the stage while ladies enjoyed their tea and lunch, honoring her mother who was known for confronting cancer and championing how America approached women’s health.
“The historical legacy that mom created shines brightly,"Susan Ford Bales said.
Jill Biden commending Betty’s contributions and striving to carry on her mission.
A speaker spoke on Jill's behalf (as she was sick) highlighting the first white house initiative on women’s health research launched by Jill Biden in 2023.
“Since then we have made remarkable progress," Dr. Carolyn Mazure - Chair of the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research said. " Joe signed an executive order to make sure that when the government funds research the work includes woman from the beginning.”
Jill Biden says women’s health research is understudied and underfunded, Mazure giving example scenario's during Friday's speech.
“She is the woman that get’s migraines but doesn’t know why," Mazure said. "She’s the woman who goes through menopause and leaves with more questions than answers.”
The first lady hoping to bridge the gap and tackle these issues.
- Grand Rapids:First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to deliver remarks about women's health research in Grand Rapids
“She like Betty Ford is a strong women who doesn’t back down, she is insistent on what she wants to see get done," Hunt said .
Jill mentioned that President Joe Biden is pushing congress to make a $12 billion investment in women’s health, to support research.
If the investment came into fruition, it would be the largest investment in women’s health in history