Former First Lady of the United States Rosalynn Carter, has died at age 96 on November 19, 2023 . Her commitment to mental health and her influence on compassion was recognized worldwide. Her life is a shining example of one’s capacity to touch the lives of others from a place of sympathy, tenacity, and a never-ending wish to make everyone around them better.
“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, said.
“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.”
In an announcement made on Friday, The Carter Center informed that the former first lady has been admitted to hospice care. She was diagnosed with dementia in May, while her husband had already commenced home hospice care in February, following a series of hospital stays.
Mrs. Carter, the wife of Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, has been married to him for a remarkable 77 years. At present, Mr. Carter is 99 years old.The former first lady and former President Jimmy Carter were married for 77 years. She and the former president had four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Rosalynn Carter
1927 - 2023
Rosalynn Carter is known around the world primarily as a former First Lady, a leading public figure in the field of charity, and the favorite companion of her husband President Carter. Still, most people do not even know about Mrs. Carter’s lifetime hard work in creating a compassionate empathetic society. Her work also focused on families who bore the difficulties and happiness of caring for elderly and sick or physically challenged relatives.
Mrs. Carter also identified that taking care of another person involved more than just the typical responsibilities of a family member. She also knew that most caregivers, who sacrifice themselves for the sake of their loved one’s wellbeing, were the unsung heroes . This understanding has kept Mrs. Carter to be a voice for such people and long after completion of her public service, she continues to fight for their wellbeing.
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) : Mrs. Carter established RCI in 1987 to assist the millions of caregivers who work around the clock to take care of their loved ones. She was convinced that every person had been, is, or will be a caregiver at some point. Thus, the Institute was established to satisfy their specific needs.
For 36 years of activity, the RCI has expanded its support to all unpaid caregivers, a population in the USA exceeding that of 53 million people. Thus the institute, founded in her name, is the ultimate show of Mrs. Carter’s unwavering dedication to her family, faith, and selfless efforts.
Early Life and Education: A Foundation for Service
Eleanor Rosalynn Smith was born in Plains, Georgia on August 18, 1927. She was the oldest of her siblings, having three brothers and one sister. Her father, Wilburn Edgar Smith, had several professions such as auto mechanic, bus driver, and farmer. Eleanor’s mother, Frances Allethea “Allie” Murray Smith, was a teacher, dressmaker, and postal worker. Her brothers, William Jerrold “Jerry” Smith and Murray Lee Smith became an engineer, and a teacher and minister, respectively.
Rosalynn’s sister, Lillian Allethea Smith Wall was named after their mothers and Lillian Gordy Carter; she is a real estate broker. Rosalynn’s name, which was her grandmothers name, came from her maternal grandmother, Rosa Wise Murray. Also, it is important to mention that Smith’s grand-uncle, W.S. Wise was one of the thousands of American Brazilians Confederados who moved to the Brazilian Empire after the Civil War.
While at Plains High School. Rosalynn showed sheer determination to achieve her father’s dream of her heading to college. This effort did not go in vain. Rosalynn graduated as a salutatorian of Plains High School before proceeding to college . She joined Georgia Southwestern College in 1946 and shortly afterwards finished her studies.
A Champion for Mental Health: Breaking Down Stigma and Raising Awareness
Carter further pursued her devotion to mental health as an active honorary chair of the President’s Commission on Mental Health. In 1980 she helped gain approval for the Mental Health System Bill by testifying before a committee of the Senate . Thus, she preceded only Eleanor Roosevelt as the second First Lady who addressed Congress in the history. Carter’s main achievement, though, was altering the government’s behaviors on aiding those with mental handicaps and encouraging individuals to talk about their disorders without being afraid and embarrassed.
First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s interest in mental health was one of her most impactful endeavors while in the White House. Mrs. Carter openly discussed her family’s encounters with mental illness. Her frankness and willingness to discuss a sensitive and stigmatized issue fostered a climate where others could reconnect with what had previously been a kept secret and burgeoning crisis. Rosalynn Carter’s popularity with the general public continued as a reflection of her vocational commitment and organizational abilities .
A Global Humanitarian: Leaving a Legacy of Service
Rosalynn Carter left the White House in 1981 and has pursued a life devoted to high-profile global humanitarianism. In 1982, Rosalynn and her husband founded the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. It is a non-profit organization designed to address conflict resolution, human rights promotion, and disease elimination. Its cooperation with counties, civil societies, and nongovernmental actors across the world has made considerable positive progress in fostering peace and development.
Rosalynn Carter spent her entire lifetime advocating for the most vulnerable and disregarded people. She advocated for the rights of women and girls, campaigned for peace and conflict resolution, and worked so hard to eliminate poverty and suffering in the world. Her endless support for social justice and relentless effort to improve people’s lifestyles earned her massive appreciation and respect for people from all walks of life.
Additional Resources
The Carter Center: https://www.cartercenter.org/
Rosalynn Carter Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution: https://www.rosalynncarter.org/
National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/
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