THE wife of late President Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn Carter was the 39th First Lady of the United States.
Rosalynn was considered one of her husband’s closest advisors throughout his political career.
Rosalynn was the First Lady of Georgia from 1971 to 1975.
When Jimmy Carter announced his plans to run for the White House, she campaigned alone on his behalf in 41 states.
Rosalynn then became the First Lady of the United States in 1977.
After she questioned her husband about a news story, he invited her to sit in on Cabinet meetings in order to remain fully informed about her position.
She became a model for future First Ladies to influence officials and the public by discussing an issue or giving it attention.
In her duties as First Lady of Georgia, Rosalynn began focusing on mental health.
She was appointed to the Governor’s Commission to Improve Services for the Mentally and Emotionally Handicapped which allowed her to influence state laws on the issue.
Rosalynn was elected to the board of directors of the National Association of Mental Health where she continued to fight for the rights of the mentally ill.
She joined Lady Bird Johnson and Betty Ford in supporting the unsuccessful campaign for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) at the Houston conference celebrating the International Women’s Year in 1977.
She was honored by the National Organization for Women for her vigorous support.
Rosalynn became the second First Lady to appear before Congress when she testified before a Senate committee on behalf of the Mental Health System Bill to change the nature of government assistance to the mentally ill.
Both Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter are considered key figures for the nonprofit organization Habitat for Humanity.
Jimmy Carter’s work after his presidency has been considered more favorable and effective than his work in the White House.
Jimmy established the Carter Center in 1982 to promote and expand human rights.
He continued to travel to manage peace negotiations and fair elections around the world and advance disease prevention in developing nations.
He continued his diplomacy work by aiding in peace talks with countries including North Korea, Cuba, Peru, Israel, and Palestine.
Carter died aged 100 on Sunday December 29, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Rosalynn also continued her work focusing on mental health, caregiving, women, and children.
On Sunday, November 19, 2023, Rosalynn passed away at the age of 96.
She had just joined her husband Jimmy in hospice care earlier in the week, following a dementia diagnosis in May 2023.
Following Jimmy’s hospice care, the Carter Center issued a statement on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, announcing Rosalynn’s battle with dementia.
The statement read: “The Carter family is sharing that former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has dementia.
“She continues to live happily at home with her husband, enjoying spring in Plains and visits with loved ones.”
The statement went on to highlight Rosalynn Carter’s Institute for Caregivers and the extraordinary work they’ve been doing to ensure the Carters are well taken care of.
They concluded the statement by saying: “We do not expect to comment further and ask for understanding for our family and for everyone across the country serving in a caregiver role.”
On November 17, 2023, the Carter Center released another announcement, on behalf of Jason Carter, grandson of President and Mrs. Carter, revealing that Rosalynn had entered hospice care at home.
“She and President Carter are spending time with each other and their family,” the statement read. “The Carter family continues to ask for privacy and remains grateful for the outpouring of love and support.”
On November 19, 2023, the Carter Center released a statement, announcing that the former First Lady had died that Sunday at her home in Plains, Georgia.
