THE wife of 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. Who is former first lady Rosalynn Carter? Rosalynn was the First Lady of Georgia from 1971 to 1975. When Jimmy Carter announced his plans to […]
THE wife of 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 in her position.
She became a model for future First Ladies to influence officials and the public by discussing an issue or giving attention to it.
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 and 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 in Habitat for Humanity who they have done many projects.
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 and 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 aiding in peace talks with countries including North Korea, Cuba, Peru, Israel, and Palestine.
Rosalynn also continued her work focusing mental health, caregiving, and women and children.
Jimmy is the oldest living US president and has had the longest retirement and Rosalynn is the oldest living former First Lady and the longest-married former First Lady.
