Betty Bumpers

Bumpers with President Jimmy Carter at the White House

Betty Bumpers (née Flanagan; January 11, 1925 – November 23, 2018) was an American advocate for childhood immunizations and world peace. She was the wife of Dale Bumpers, the 38th Governor of Arkansas and later a U.S. Senator. Betty Bumpers played a significant role in public health and peace initiatives, both in Arkansas and on the national stage.

Early Life and Education

Betty Bumpers was born in Grand Prairie, Arkansas, to salesman and auctioneer Herman "Babe" Flanagan and his wife, Ola Callan Flanagan. She grew up in a politically aware household, which laid the foundation for her future endeavors in public service. Bumpers attended the University of Iowa but graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Elementary Education.

Marriage and Family

In 1949, Betty Flanagan married Dale Bumpers, who would later become one of Arkansas's most influential political figures. The couple had three children. Their marriage was not only a personal partnership but also a professional one, as Betty played a crucial role in Dale Bumpers' political campaigns and initiatives during his tenure as governor and senator.

Public Health Advocacy

As the First Lady of Arkansas, Betty Bumpers initiated and led a comprehensive childhood immunization program. Concerned by the low rates of immunizations among children in Arkansas, she launched the "Every Child By '74" campaign. This initiative aimed to ensure that all children in the state were immunized against common childhood diseases by 1974. The program was highly successful and served as a model for other states, significantly improving immunization rates across the country.

In addition to her work on immunization, Bumpers co-founded Vaccinate Your Family (formerly known as Every Child By Two), a national non-profit organization that advocates for childhood immunization. Alongside Rosalynn Carter, the wife of former President Jimmy Carter, she worked tirelessly to promote the importance of vaccines and preventable disease education at a national level.

Peace Activism

Beyond her contributions to public health, Betty Bumpers was also a fervent advocate for peace. She co-founded Peace Links with other congressional wives. The organization focused on reducing the nuclear arms race and promoting peace and understanding between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Peace Links worked to educate citizens about the dangers of nuclear weapons and encouraged grassroots movements to support nuclear disarmament.

Legacy

Betty Bumpers' legacy is marked by her significant contributions to improving public health through childhood immunization and her efforts to promote peace and disarmament. Her work has had a lasting impact on both the state of Arkansas and the United States as a whole. Bumpers' dedication to her causes has been recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout her life.

Death

Betty Bumpers passed away on November 23, 2018, leaving behind a legacy of advocacy and public service. Her work continues to inspire those in the fields of public health and peace activism.