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Susan Ford Bales is a Virginia native and now resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is the daughter of President Gerald R. Ford and Betty Ford and is married to Vaden Bales, an attorney with the Hall Estill firm in Tulsa. Susan is the mother of two daughters, Tyne Berlanga and Heather Devers, three grandchildren, Joy Elizabeth Berlanga, Cruz Vance Berlanga, Elizabeth Blanche Devers, and three step-sons, Kevin, Matthew, and Andrew Bales.
Susan was raised in Alexandria, Virginia, and attended Holton Arms School and Mount Vernon College, where she studied photojournalism. She is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service degree, an Honorary Doctorate of Letters degree, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree. She is the author of two novels set in the White House, "Double Exposure: A First Daughter Mystery", and its sequel, "Sharp Focus."
Susan is the Ship's Sponsor for the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), which she officially christened on November 9, 2013. She has served as a trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation since 1981 and currently serves as co-chair of the foundation’s programs committee. Susan’s work with the foundation is centered on promoting the ideals of integrity, public service and candor that were the hallmarks America’s 38th President and his distinguished service as a naval officer in World War II, as a member of Congress, and as Vice President.
During her high school years, Susan lived in the White House and served as official White House hostess following her mother’s surgery for breast cancer in 1974. In 1984, she and her mother helped launch National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Susan subsequently served as national spokesperson for breast cancer awareness. Since the founding of the Betty Ford Center in 1982, Susan worked side by side with her mother on projects at the center and was elected to the center’s board of directors in 1992. She succeeded her mother as chairman of the board from 2005-10.
In addition to her many charitable and public service activities, Susan also serves as a member of the advisory board of the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health; co-trustee of the President Gerald R. Ford Historical Legacy Trust; trustee of the Elizabeth B. Ford Charitable Trust; the executive board of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Foundation; the honorary advisory committee of the Children’s National Medical Center; and the board of directors of the Bosque School in New Mexico. (DoD photo illustration)
| Date Taken: | 07.18.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 07.18.2017 12:43 |
| Photo ID: | 3578533 |
| VIRIN: | 170718-N-ZZ999-001 |
| Resolution: | 1962x3107 |
| Size: | 1.74 MB |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 316 |
| Downloads: | 6 |
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