10. Gerald Ford
This is a President that gained steam for the feminist movement in a time that being pro-choice or pro-women’s equality wasn’t that popular with the status quo. Gerald Ford served the United States as the 38th President during the mid to late ‘70s. The politician served as Vice President under Richard Nixon until the disgraced President resigned in 1974, leaving Ford to serve in his place.
He was a controversial President that pardoned Richard Nixon despite his Watergate scandal and an outcry from the American people. He also declared the Vietnam war over and helped release the tension of the Cold War by signing the Helsinki Accords. Ford was a major proponent of Women’s Rights, declaring August 26 Women’s Rights Day and supporting the Equal Rights Amendment.
He fought for each state to regulate their own abortion laws and came out as pro-choice after his run as President. Although he was so for women’s rights, when asked about gay rights Ford would not respond. He admitted there was an issue with LGBTQ rights in the country but wouldn’t go any farther on the subject; making him neutral and therefore a negative influence on LGBTQ rights in general.
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