Avenger of the Week | Betty White

We’re starting 2022 with one less visionary. This week we’d like to stop and remember the life and activism of the late comedian superstar Betty White, who passed away in her sleep on December 31, 2021. 

Just a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday, Betty White’s life was one of laughter, love, and standing her ground. On screen, Betty always played roles of forward thinking women; characters full of independence, wit, and sexual awareness dominated her playbook, remarkably during a time when women on television were most known as dutiful wives and mothers. As her career progressed, Betty continued to push the boundaries placed on women in media and produced groundbreaking shows like Life with Elizabeth and Date with the Angels - both notably featuring intelligent, strong women and their supportive spouses.  

Off screen, Betty’s activism for the underrepresented continued quietly. When The Betty White Show received backlash for featuring Black dancer Arthur Duncan, Betty’s simple response was, “deal with it.” She conversely gave Arthur even more air time, and the show was canceled soon after. At a time when the LGBTQ+ community faced heightened discrimination, her reply was, again, simple and to the point: “I just want to say to all the judgemental people out there: if two people in love want to get married, let ’em get married!” Betty’s passion for equality and justice was steadfast throughout her career, and fair treatment of all people was simply a part of her core beliefs.

For living an unapologetic life of equal representation, laughter, and for never using “I’m from a different generation” as an excuse, the late comedian and American sweetheart Betty White is our Avenger of the Week.

As 2021 came to a close, we said goodbye to comedian superstar Betty White. Throughout her decades-long career, Betty advocated for love, laughter, and equal representation. This week we honor her legacy as #GenderAvenger #AvengerOfTheWeek.