RIP

Former First Lady Betty Ford died last weekend at the age of 93. Betty wasn't afraid to share her liberal or moderate positions on social issues, and some presidential historians believe her legacy could outweigh her husband's. Betty took risks more cautious presidential wives would not have, and as The New York Times wrote in its obituary, she was an "outspoken and much-admired" first lady. Here are five examples of how Betty made the most of her brief time in the White House by making a difference for American women.

1. Supported Equal Rights Amendment: Betty lent her full support to the controversial and ultimately unsuccessful Equal Rights Amendment. She called legislators and gave speeches across the country. She also was a vocal supporter of equal pay.
2. Talked Openly About Breast Cancer: Within two months of becoming first lady, Betty found out she had breast cancer. Instead of trying to hide it, she discussed her mastectomy in public with hopes of helping other women detect and treat breast cancer. Of losing her breasts, she said: "Once it's done, put it behind you and go on with your life." As more American women headed to the doctor's for breast exams, she received more than 50,000 cards filled with gratitude.
3. Pro Legal Abortion: Despite the Republican party's official opposition to abortion, Betty openly supported it.
4. Realistic About Premarital Sex: During a 60 Minutes interview, Betty said she would provide her 18-year-old daughter support or "counsel" if she had premarital sex. As for marital sex, Betty also raised eyebrows for openly admitting that she planned to share a bed with her husband in the White House, and she said she slept with the president "as often as I can."
5. Honest About Substance Abuse: After doctors prescribed her pain medication for a pinched nerve in 1964, Betty struggled with a prescription drug and alcohol problem until her family held an intervention in 1978. In her memoir, Betty: A Glad Awakening, she discussed the loneliness associated with being a politician's wife, which contributed to her abuse: "On one hand, I loved being 'the wife of;' on the other hand, I was convinced that the more important Jerry became, the less important I became." Instead of being ashamed of her addiction, Betty recovered and then opened her famous rehab center, the Betty Ford Clinic, in California to help treat many other women — and men — with addiction.

See pictures of First Lady Betty Ford over the years now.

Elizabeth Taylor passed away this morning at 79, and as her loved ones reflect on her legacy, we're looking back at her amazing life. Her many marriages and love affairs made headlines around the world, and her gorgeous style and remarkable beauty remain iconic today. Her charity has also been a huge part of her passion and work, and her family asks that instead of flowers, any donations be made to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. The two-time Oscar winner and devoted mother was a one-of-a-kind woman and actress — here's a glance at her life in pictures.

>> Elizabeth Taylor, she of the violet eyes, plunging necklines, and ostentatious jewelry, passed away this morning at 79. She first broke onto the scene at 12, in the 1944 film National Velvet; she became the highest-paid actress of the time when she accepted $1 million in 1960 to play Cleopatra; and her White Diamonds perfume, launched in 1991, remains a bestseller. But aside from all that, she was a Hollywood icon — the "beauty incarnate" to Marilyn Monroe's sex goddess, Grace Kelly's ice queen, and Audrey Hepburn's eternal gamine, as the New York Times put it.

Although she wasn't known as a fashion icon, she did have her moments: the strapless white gown covered in daisies Edith Head designed for Taylor in 1951's A Place in the Sun inspired the most popular prom dress that year, and the white dress she wore in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was licensed by its costume designer, Helen Rose, and sold in the thousands.

Valentino, who dressed Taylor in 1991 for her eighth wedding, said: “Liz is a very faithful friend. She can be the most extraordinarily beautiful woman. But what makes her a big star in my eyes is that she is like everyone else. She puts on weight, she loses it. She has depression, faces health problems just like everyone. It’s why she is a lasting personality.” A look back at some of Taylor's iconic moments, in the gallery.

The celebrity outpouring of love for Elizabeth Taylor is remarkable in the wake of her death this morning. One lasting part of her legacy is the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, and work for the cause earned a good friend in Elton John. The two have been close for two decades, and Elton released a statement to CNN, "We have just lost a Hollywood giant; more importantly, we have lost an incredible human being." Elton and Liz had tons of good times together from when she took the stage during his shows to when they sat and laughed at his annual Oscar parties. Check out these sweet photos of Elton and Elizabeth.

Also, take a look back at her life in pictures, most memorable quotes, amazing style, and iconic beauty.