Pullen, Frances

First Lady's Staff

FRANCES KAYE PULLEN

Staff Assistant:

Files, 1974-77

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Material compiled by Pullen during the preparation of Mrs. Ford's speeches and public statements. Included are speeches given during the 1976 presidential campaign, the Bicentennial and concerning cancer, women's issues, and the arts. Many were annotated by Mrs. Ford.

QUANTITY

1.6 linear feet (ca. 3,200 pages)

DONOR

Gerald R. Ford (accession number 77-50 and 79-10)

ACCESS

Open. Some items are temporarily restricted under terms of the donor's deed of gift, a copy of which is available on request, or under National Archives and Records Administration general restrictions (36 CFR 1256).

COPYRIGHT

Gerald Ford has donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain.

Prepared by Leesa Tobin, April 1983

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BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Frances Kaye Pullen

1945 Born in Henry County, Tennessee

1966 B.A. degree from Memphis State University

1968 M.A. degree from the University of Minnesota

1968‑72 Television news reporter, WHBQ and WMC in Memphis, Tennessee

1972 Editorial writer, Commercial Appeal

1973 Writer, Walker and Associates, Memphis, Tennessee

April 1974 Speechwriter, Republican Congressional Committee

Nov. 1974 Speechwriter, President's Ford's staff

Nov. 1975 Informally began assisting with preparation of Mrs. Ford's speeches

Feb. 1976 Transferred to Mrs. Ford's staff as a speechwriter

INTRODUCTION

Frances Kaye Pullen joined the White House staff as a speechwriter for President Ford in the Editorial Staff Office in November 1974. One year later she informally began assisting with Mrs. Ford's speech preparation and transferred to the First Lady's staff in February 1976. Pullen remained on the First Lady's staff as her speechwriter, reporting directly to Sheila Weidenfeld, Mrs. Ford's press secretary, until the end of the administration.

Pullen was responsible for drafting the First Lady's speeches. These remarks rarely lasted longer than five minutes and were usually given during "drop‑by" affairs scheduled for the First Lady. Pullen also prepared occasional background briefing papers for Mrs. Ford's trips and assisted in the preparation of special messages the First Lady sent to various groups.

Many of the speeches prepared by Pullen and given by Mrs. Ford in 1976 were related to President Ford's campaign. Other common topics included cancer, the Equal Rights Amendment, the Bicentennial, and the presenting and receiving of many awards.

The First Lady's speeches often went through several drafts before an acceptable text was agreed upon. Pullen's files consist largely of these early drafts and copies of each annotated by Mrs. Ford. Also included in many of the speech files are schedule proposals and agenda for each event where Mrs. Ford was to speak and background material gathered by Pullen to aid in speech preparation. Pullen often interviewed Mrs. Ford before composing a speech and her notes concerning these meetings are in several of the speech files.

It is not clear who was responsible for Mrs. Ford's speeches before Pullen joined the First Lady's staff in February 1976. Due to Mrs. Ford's illness in the fall of 1974, she did not do much public speaking until 1975 and during that time only occasionally until the presidential campaign was underway in 1976. It is likely that Sheila Weidenfeld composed some of Mrs. Ford's statements with the assistance from the President's staff.

Series Descriptions

1‑2 Pullen Working File, 1975-77. (0.8 linear feet)

Briefing papers, speech drafts, agenda, schedule proposals, internal memoranda and background material. This file concerns only the speeches that Pullen wrote for Mrs. Ford from February 1976 until the end of the administration, many of which are related to the presidential campaign. Major speech topics include cancer, the Bicentennial, the Equal Rights Amendment and the campaign.

Arranged chronologically.

3‑4 Speech Reading Copies File, 1974-76. (0.8 linear feet)

Reading copies of the speeches given by Mrs. Ford, including two from the eight‑month period when Mr. Ford was Vice President. This file also includes speeches from the period before Pullen was writing for Mrs. Ford. Many appear to be the reading copies used by Mrs. Ford in delivering the speeches and are annotated in her hand.

Arranged chronologically.

Container List

Box 1 Pullen Working File

1975/11/07 ‑ American Cancer Society Dinner, New York City

1976/01/13 ‑ Louise Nevelson Sculpture Unveiling, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1976/02 ‑ New Hampshire Radio Spots

1976/02/18 ‑ Susan B. Anthony Birthday Telegram

1976/02/18 ‑ Parent ‑ Teacher Association Legislative Conference, White House

1976/02/24‑29 ‑ Briefing Material for Florida Trip

1976/02/24 ‑ Stand Up for America Rally, Jacksonville, Florida

1976/02/25 ‑ Dedication of Dr. W.J. Creel Elementary School, Melbourne, Florida

1976/02/27 ‑ University of Miami Founders Day Banquet, Miami, Florida

1976/03/09 ‑ Dedication of Little Adobe School House, Mesa, Arizona

1976/03/09 ‑ American Film Institute Life Achievement Dinner, Los Angeles, California

1976/03/10 ‑ President Ford Committee Headquarters, San Diego, California

1976/03/11 ‑ 38th Assembly District Central Committee Luncheon, Los Angeles, California

1976/03/12 ‑ Lambs Farm, Libertyville, Illinois

1976/03/20 ‑ Women's National Republican Club VIP Reception, New York City

1976/03/26 ‑ American Cancer Society's Courage Award, White House

1976/03/29 ‑ Parsons Award, New York City

1976/04/04 ‑ Greater Madison Winter Olympians Recognition Ceremony, Madison, Wisconsin

1976/04/04 ‑ Citizens Radio Band Debut

1976/04/05 ‑ Mayfair Shopping Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

1976/04/06 ‑ Benefit for Hospital for Sick Children, Kennedy Center

1976/04/08 ‑ Ladies Home Journal Woman of the Year Awards, New York City

1976/04/14 ‑ Dedication of the White House Visitors Waiting Area

1976/04/19 ‑ Easter Egg Roll, White House

1976/04/19‑22 ‑ Briefing Material for Texas Trip

1976/04/19 ‑ San Antonio Fiesta River Parade, San Antonio, Texas

1976/04/20 ‑ President Ford Committee Reception, San Antonio, Texas

1976/04/20 ‑ President Ford Committee Reception, Corpus Christi, Texas

1976/04/21 ‑ San Jacinto Day Ceremonies, Houston, Texas

1976/04/21 ‑ Gladys City Park, Beaumont, Texas

1976/04/22 ‑ White House Photographers' Association Dinner, Washington, D.C.

1976/04/26 ‑ Presentation of "Stone Plate" at Franklin Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1976/04/26 ‑ Golden Slipper Award, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1976/04/29 ‑ Duke Ellington Concert, New York City

1976/04/30 ‑ Christening of Pan American 747 SP, Indianapolis, Indiana

1976/05/03 ‑ Senate Wives Luncheon, White House

1976/05/04 ‑ President Ford Committee Fundraiser, Columbus, Ohio

1976/05/07 ‑ Shriners' Party, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

1976/05/08 ‑ Truman Public Service Award, Independence, Missouri

1976/05/12 ‑ Scholastic Achievement Award from Recording for the Blind, White House

1976/05/21 ‑ Wives of Former Members of Congress Reception, White House

1976/05/22 ‑ Bennington College Arts Center Dedication, Bennington, Vermont

1976/05/27‑28 ‑ Briefing Material for New Jersey/Ohio Trip

1976/05/28 ‑ Courthouse Square Community Performance, Dayton, Ohio

1976/05/28 ‑ President Ford Committee Supporters Reception, Findlay, Ohio

Box 2 Pullen Working File

1976/06/06 ‑ Cedars‑Sinai Medical Center Dedication, Los Angeles, California

1976/06/07 ‑ Central High School Graduation, Grand Rapids, Michigan

1976/06/18 ‑ Briefing Material for Iowa Trip

1976/06/18 ‑ Iowa GOP Dinner, Des Moines, Iowa

1976/06/22 ‑ Jewish National Fund Dinner, New York City

1976/06/24 ‑ Gown Presentation, Smithsonian Institution

1976/06/25 ‑ Minnesota GOP Convention, Minneapolis, Minnesota

1976/06/29 ‑ Ribbon Cutting at the "Remember the Ladies" Exhibit, Plymouth, Massachusetts

1976/07/02 ‑ Wolf Trap Award Presentation, White House

1976/07/17 ‑ New York Republican State Committee Dinner, New York City

1976/07/29 ‑ Spouses' Briefing, White House

1976/08/10 ‑ Salute to Duke Ellington, New York City

1976/08/12 ‑ Hadassah National Board Reception, White House

1976/08/17 ‑ National Federation of Republican Women, Kansas City, Missouri

1976/08/19 ‑ Cary Grant Introduction of Betty Ford, Kansas City, Missouri

1976/08/27 ‑ Equal Rights Amendment Vigil Telegram

1976/09/05 ‑ Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival, Chicago, Illinois

1976/09/07 ‑ Presentation of Italian Bicentennial Gift, White House

1976/09/08 ‑ Washington Fashion Group Benefit, McLean, Virginia

1976/09/16 ‑ Ingham County Phone Bank, Lansing, Michigan

1976/09/17 ‑ Reception for the National Federation of Republican Women, White House

1976/09/26 ‑ Oktoberfest, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

1976/10/01 ‑ Visit to Children's Museum, Indianapolis, Indiana

1976/10/02 ‑ Dedication of M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, Texas

1976/10/08 ‑ People for Ford Rally, Olympia, Washington

1976/10/13 ‑ Citizen of the Americas Award, White House

1976/10/14 ‑ Martha Graham Medal of Freedom

1976/10/19 ‑ President Ford Committee Phone Bank, Downey, California

1976/10/20 ‑ Chinese‑Americans for Ford Rally, Los Angeles, California

1976/10/20 ‑ City of Hope Luncheon, Los Angeles, California

1976/10/21 ‑ Lakewood Republican Dinner, Lakewood, Ohio

1976/10/21 ‑ Rally for Jim Leach, Davenport, Iowa

1976/10/26 ‑ "No Greater Love" Press Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio

1976/10/27 ‑ Rally, Rochester, Michigan

1976/10/27 ‑ President Ford Committee Reception, Dearborn, Michigan

1976/10/28 ‑ Rally, Eatontowne, New Jersey

1976/11/01 ‑ "Paul Harris Rotary Fellow" Award and Rally, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

1976/11/30 ‑ Cape Cod Hospital Wing Cornerstone Laying, Hyannis, Massachusetts

1976/12/01 ‑ "Communicator of Hope Award", American Cancer Society, New York City

1976/12/14 ‑ Diplomatic Children's Christmas Party, White House

1976/12/19 ‑ University of Michigan Commencement, Ann Arbor, Michigan

1977/01 ‑ Vogue article

Box 3 Speech Reading Copies File

1974/01/17 ‑ Jerry Ford Day, Grand Rapids, Michigan

1974/05/31 ‑ Westminister Choir College Commencement, Princeton, New Jersey

1974/09/05 ‑ 27th Annual Meeting of the Manuscript Society, Executive Office Building

1974/11/20 ‑ Women's Economic Conference, Executive Office Building

1974/11/22 ‑ National Association for Mental Health Luncheon, Washington, D.C.

1974/12/14 ‑ Children's Christmas Party, White House

1974/12/10 ‑ National Gallery Dinner and Preview of Chinese Exhibit, Washington

1975/03/22 ‑ Gridiron Dinner, Washington, DC

1975/04/02 ‑ Blue Ribbon 400 Luncheon, Los Angeles, California

1975/05/12 ‑ Philadelphia Association for Retarded Citizens Dinner

1975/05/20 ‑ Speech to Indochinese Refugees, San Diego, California

1975/06/23 ‑ Republican Women's Federal Forum Brunch, White House

1975/09/03 ‑ Religious Zionists of America Dinner, New York City

1975/09/12 ‑ National Association of Commissions for Women, Executive Office Building

1975/09/26 ‑ Homemaking and Identity Conference, White House

1975/10/09 ‑ National Academy of Design, New York City

1975/10/10 ‑ Arts for Living Dedication Center, New York City

1975/10/14 ‑ Calder Sculpture for the Blind Unveiling, Hirshorn Museum, Washington, D.C.

1975/10/25 ‑ International Women's Year Conference, Cleveland, Ohio

1975/11/06 ‑ Family of Man Dinner, New York City

1975/11/07 ‑ American Cancer Society Dinner, New York City

1975/11/14 ‑ First Ladies Book Presentation, White House

1975/11/17 ‑ Alexander Calder Jet Dedication, Dulles Airport, Washington D.C.

1976/01/13 ‑ Nevelson Sculpture Unveiling, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1976/02 ‑ New Hampshire Radio Spots

1976/02/18 ‑ National Congress of PTA Legislative Conference, White House

1976/02/24 ‑ Stand Up for America Rally, Jacksonville, Florida

1976/02/25 ‑ Dedication of Dr. W.J. Creel Elementary School, Melbourne, Florida

1976/02/27 ‑ University of Miami Founders Day Banquet, Miami, Florida

1976/03/09 ‑ Dedication of Little Adobe Schoolhouse, Mesa, Arizona

1976/03/09 ‑ American Film Institute Life Achievement Award, Los Angeles, California

1976/03/10 ‑ President Ford Committee Headquarters, San Diego, California

1976/03/11 ‑ Republican Central Committee Salute to the Grass Root Volunteer Luncheon, Los Angeles, California

1976/03/12 ‑ Lambs Farm, Libertyville, Illinois

1976/03/20 ‑ Women's National Republican Club, New York City

1976/03/26 ‑ American Cancer Society's Courage Award, New York City

1976/03/29 ‑ Parsons Award Presentation, New York City

1976/04/04 ‑ Greetings to Convoy Citizens Band Radio, Madison, Wisconsin

1976/04/04 ‑ Olympic Recognition Awards, Madison, Wisconsin

1976/04/05 ‑ Mayfair Shopping Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

1976/04/06 ‑ Benefit for Hospital for Sick Children, Kennedy Center

1976/04/08 ‑ Ladies Home Journal Woman of the Year Award, New York City

1976/04/14 ‑ Dedication of the White House Visitors Waiting Area

1976/04/19 ‑ San Antonio Fiesta River Parade, San Antonio, Texas

1976/04/20 ‑ President Ford Committee Reception,

Gerald R. Ford Library

1000 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2114