March is Women’s History Month, or as I have heard it called before – Women’s HerStory Month. It is a month where we honor and celebrate the courageous and forward-thinking contributions women have made in our history. Currently, over 60% of family caregivers are women. Each of these women has a story worth sharing and hearing. When we add the family caregiving lens to this look back on history, several notable female caregivers stand out.
Eleanor Roosevelt
In the early 1920s, Franklin Roosevelt’s polio condition left him paralyzed. His wife, Eleanor, assumed the role of caregiver and wife and mother, AND she eventually became First Lady when FDR became the U.S. President in 1933. When FDR passed away, Eleanor remained an advocate for those who could not care for themselves.
Anne Sullivan
Anne Sullivan cared for Helen Keller, who lost her sight and hearing from scarlet fever in her infancy. Anne is credited with helping Helen move past all her understandable obstacles and learn to speak and even become a public speaker.
Debbie Reynolds
Most know Debbie Reynolds as a famous actress during Hollywood’s golden era starring in Singin’ in the Rain and The Catered Affair. She also was the voice of Charlotte in my favorite childhood movie Charlotte’s Web.
Many don’t realize that Debbie became a family caregiver at age 14 for her mom and her grandmother, both of whom had heart conditions. Later, she helped care for her father and her mother-in-law. Around 80, she also became a close friend’s caregiver whose family had abandoned her. She also helped care for her famous daughter, Carrie Fisher, who, as a teenager, started showing signs of depression and bipolar disorder. In December 2016, the world grieved the loss of both daughter and mother within a mere day of each other.
Ethel Percy Andrus
Ethel Andrus may not be a household name, but she should be for her servant leadership work while caregiving. She was the founder of the American Association of Retired Persons, commonly referred to as AARP. The early days of AARP started as an organization for retired teachers but in 1958 expanded to include all retirees. Ethel was passionate about providing independence and dignity for older Americans.
Before AARP, Ethel was the first female school principal in California. Ethel cared for both her parents. She first helped care for her father, who became blind. Later, when her mother required extensive care, Ethel left the workforce to care for her. In 1993, Ethel was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
Rosalynn Carter
A 2001 inductee into the Women’s Hall of Fame and the former First Lady of the US, Rosalynn Carter was introduced to caregiving at just 12 years old when her father was diagnosed with terminal leukemia. She has since cared for other family members and has written a few books about caring for others:
In 1987, she started the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (the ‘for Caregivers’ was just added in 2020). RCI’s mission is to promote all caregivers’ health, strength, and resilience at every stage of their journey. Learn more about RCI’s caregiving programs.
Elizabeth Dole
Elizabeth Dole served in politics for many years, holding two cabinet positions and later as a US Senator for North Carolina. For nine years, Elizabeth Dole was the American Red Cross president.
In 2012, triggered after her husband Bob’s 11-month stay at Walter Reed hospital and her personal interactions with other military and veteran families, Elizabeth Dole started the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. EDF’s purpose is to empower, support, and honor our nation’s military and veteran caregivers. Last year, they added a caregiver respite program to their collection of services and resources.
Elizabeth is currently a family caregiver for her husband and Senator, Bob, who has stage 4 lung cancer.
Joan Lunden
Joan Lunden, the former show co-host of Good Morning America for 17 years, cared for her older brother, who had Type II diabetes, and her mother, who had dementia. When she was just 13, she lost her dad when he died in a plane crash. She identifies with being a sandwich generation caregiver as she raised seven children (two sets of twins!) while caring for a family member over the span of two decades. Joan is a current spokesperson for A Place for Mom, a senior referral service that helps families find care and resources for their loved ones.
Joan has also been a care recipient. In 2014, she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. She chronicled her experience in her memoir, Had I Known. She also co-authored Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Caregivers.
Leeza Gibbons
Entertainment Tonight host and winner of Trump’s last Celebrity Apprentice, Leeza Gibbons, cared for her mom and grandma, who had Alzheimer’s disease. Leeza currently helps care for her dad, who has heart disease. Leeza poured her winnings from Celebrity Apprentice into her own non-profit, Leeza’s Care Connection, supporting family caregivers.
Leeza wrote a book focused on self-care while caregiving.
I was delighted to shine the caregiver spotlight on Leeza for the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast’s 100th episode! In the podcast episode, we talk about boundaries, optimism, self-care, big dreams, and the importance of sharing your story.
Holly Robinson Peete
Actress Holly Robinson Peete (aka Judy Hoffs on TV police drama 21 Jump Street) understands what it feels like to be squeezed into the sandwich generation. She cares for her son with autism and her father with Parkinson’s. Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disorder in the US, and nearly one million live with Parkinson’s disease.
In 1997, Holly, along with her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, formed the HollyRod Foundation.
Maria Shriver
Journalist and former First Lady of California, Maria Shriver, helped care for her father, who had Alzheimer’s and has since become one of the world’s most recognized Alzheimer’s advocates. She organized the first March to End Alzheimer’s in 2010 and executive produced the award-winning film “Still Alice,” starring Julianne Moore. Maria is also the founder of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement. In 2017, the Alzheimer’s Foundation awarded her the first-ever Lifetime Achievement award.
She authored a best-selling children’s book called What’s Happening to Grandpa and published a coloring book for people with Alzheimer’s called Color Your Mind.
When a public figure shares their story about their caregiving journey, we all:
- start talking more about the struggles and issues surrounding caregiving
- amplify the term ‘family caregiver’ and make it a well-known role where others know what they are called and can more easily search and find resources to help
Every day, family caregivers like us are continuing to break through barriers and find ways to support and amplify the amazing work caregivers are doing. Whether you are discovering a new product or service to make our system work better or contributing to your own personal family history, you are making a difference.
