Last weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Betty White. The diminutive Ms. White is a well-known animal activist, and flew from L.A. (and boy, were her arms tired) to join the group at White Oak.
Ms. White, at 85 years of age, took the red-eye flight from L.A. arriving in Florida Saturday morning, spent the day and evening at White Oak, and the following morning flew back to L.A. because of a television commitment. Whew. I'd hate to have to keep up with her.
White has been a television standard for a long time, most notably, in my mind at least, as Sue Ann Nivens in the Mary Tyler Moore Show, and as Rose Nylund on Golden Girls. In addition, she has been on numerous game and quiz shows, and currently has a recurring role in Boston Legal. She has won five Emmy Awards, three American Comedy Awards, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, beside that of her late husband, Allen Ludden.
She has a few movie credits to her name as well, not the least of which is the (ahem) animal lover in Lake Placid.
Betty White has been a board member of Morris Animal Foundation for forty years, and served as president for three. Morris Animal Foundation is a national research foundation dedicated to improving the health and well being of companion animals and wildlife. She has also served on the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association Board of Trustees.
She had a radio show called "Betty White on Animals", produced a TV series "The Pet Set", wrote a book called "Betty White's Pet Love", and is the official spokesperson for 1-800-PETMEDS.
At White Oak, she has championed the gerenuk research program. On her visit, she socialized with visitors, gave a brief talk on the importance of taking care the animals, and then visited and signed autographs for a long time.
I want to be Betty White in my next life.
Just wanted to say THANKS, for sharing this wonderful persons life. I never knew she was so involved and for so long. Betty White is a real trooper, God Bless Her.
Ron f/Massachusetts
Posted by: Ron | April 02, 2007 at 10:56 AM