The Legacy of Rosalynn Carter

This past week, on November 29th, a somber memorial service was held for Rosaylnn Carter, former first lady of the United States and celebrated humanitarian. During the  service, Carter was celebrated for her political achievements in addition to her social advocacy. She was also honored by family who noted the former First Lady's tenacity and grace throughout her life. 

Carter began attending Georgia Southwest College in 1945, around the time she began a blossoming romance with Jimmy Carter. The couple married in 1946 and remained together for nearly eight decades before Mrs. Carter’s passing. The Carters had four children, three boys and one girl, each born in a different state. 

During the early sixties, Jimmy Carter ventured into politics, aided by his wife, who would become a large component of his subsequent campaigns for Governor and eventually, president. As Carter administered his first and second bids for president, Mrs.. Carter became an integral part of the process, traveling the country independent of her husband to promote his platform.

Carter was best known for her philanthropy and activism, specifically in regards to mental health and gender equality. She was notorious for her involvement in providing care for seniors and those with disabilities, establishing the Rosalynn Carter Institute for caregivers. Carter’s commitment to providing mental health resources was apparent from the beginning of her political career when she pursued improved services for disabled Americans. She also served as an honorary chairperson in the Georgia Special Olympics, furthering her devotion to impaired Americans. In addition to her activism in office, Carter emphasized artistic development by inviting an array of famed musicians, domestic and international, to perform in the White House. Carter embraced the vibrant cultural expansion of the late 1970s, aiding the United States as it entered a new era of artistic expression. 

Though her national legacy may be her humanitarianism, she is remembered by her family as a compassionate “cool grandma” who practiced Tai Chi throughout her senior years. At her memorial service, close family described her as being like “everyone else’s grandmother” who routinely gave her kids twenty dollar bills each year for their birthday. Carter, who grew up in poverty herself, managed to maintain her humility before, during, and after her political career, as reflected in her close family relationships and charitable personality. Mrs.. Carter’s unmistakable legacy as an important figure in American political and cultural history ensures that she will be remembered for generations to come.

By Sawyer Sugarman