Martha Graham with President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford

Photograph of First Lady Betty Ford, Ron Protas, Martha Graham, Cynthia Parker, and President Gerald Ford.

Betty Ford was a student of Graham's at Bennington College in the 1940's, when she was known as Betty Bloomer.

President Ford presented Graham with the Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor, in October 1976. This was the first time the medal had been awarded to a dancer and choreographer.

Photographer Unknown