Jimmy and Rosaylnn Carter, 1979
The passing of former first lady Rosalynn Carter — a steadfast advocate for mental health, caregiving and women’s rights — is a significant loss for our nation. After 77 years of marriage to Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, Mrs. Carter peacefully departed on Sunday, Nov. 19, at age 96 in her home in Plains, Ga., while surrounded by family. President Carter, now 99, expressed: “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished. She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”
Married in 1946, the Carters built a union that endured for more than seven decades — a testament to their commitment and compatibility. Rosalynn’s gracious support and “wise guidance” were instrumental in President Carter’s achievements. His tribute and his description of her as his “equal partner” capture the essence of their partnership and the profound impact she had on his life and presidency.
Rosalynn Carter’s legacy is marked by her roles as a loving mother, an extraordinary first lady and a great humanitarian. Her family adored her — and deservedly so. As her grandson Jason Carter said at her memorial service, “Her life was a sermon.” Her advocacy for mental health and caregiving has left a lasting mark on countless lives. Her son James Earl Carter III, who goes by Chip, said Mrs. Carter got him the help he needed to fight addiction. “She saved my life,” he said, adding that her work both in the White House and afterward saved many more. “Besides being a loving mother and extraordinary first lady, my mother was a great humanitarian in her own right,” he said. “Her life of service and compassion was an example for all Americans.”
I especially appreciated the remarks of President Biden, who described the Carters as an “incredible family” who “brought so much grace to the office” and had “great integrity.” I wholeheartedly agree.
One of the things I personally admire about Rosalynn was her loyalty. The Guardian’s Richard Luscombe put it well: “She was a fiercely loyal ally throughout [her husband’s] political career, both in the White House and during his years as a respected international diplomat after his single term in office ended in 1981. But she also forged her own identity for her mental health advocacy and as a social justice activist.”
The Carters embarked on their journey in Plains, where they were both born and raised. Rosalynn not only supported her husband but also played a crucial role in his political campaigns. Politico fittingly noted that she was “Jimmy Carter’s closest political adviser and a political force in her own right [who] advocated for better mental health care and underappreciated caregivers in millions of U.S. households.”
As noted by Tennessee Lookout: “In 1982, the couple founded the Carter Center in Atlanta, with a mission to ‘wage peace, fight disease and build hope.’ She later founded the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving at the school now known as Georgia Southwestern State University, her alma mater. The institute was renamed the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers in 2020. … She was also an active partner in her husband’s philanthropic support for Habitat for Humanity, often joining him in framing houses for charity.” Together the two were a force for creating change.
Rosalynn Carter’s resilience in the face of political setbacks, such as President Carter’s defeat in 1980, only served to further her commitment to public service. In her son Josh Carter’s words, “When they lost reelection, she thought the best part of her life was over.” Yet the creation of the Carter Center and the couple’s subsequent impactful work proved otherwise.
In reflecting on Rosalynn Carter’s life, it becomes clear that her impact reached far beyond the White House. Her work with the Carter Center and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers defines her commitment to addressing pressing societal issues. President Carter’s Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for their work through the Carter Center further reminds us of the global significance of their joint efforts.
Rosalynn Carter’s life exemplifies the positive impact of compassion and commitment amid challenges. As we mourn her passing, let’s reflect on the Carters’ legacy — a reminder of positive change through a lifelong commitment to family, community and humanity.
Rest in Peace, Mrs. Carter. You will be sorely missed.
Bill Freeman
Bill Freeman is the owner of FW Publishing, the publishing company that produces the Nashville Scene, Nfocus, the Nashville Post, and The News.
