First Lady Betty Ford, a vocal supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), addresses the International Women's Year Conference on gender equality. Her public endorsement of the ERA caused a stir during her time as First Lady. In this speech, her response to the criticism: "I do not believe that being first lady should prevent me from expressing my ideas." Both she and her husband, former President Gerald Ford, were adamant supporters of the ERA. The ERA was introduced into the Senate for the first time on December 10, 1923, and to the House on December 13, 1923.