Carter Smith

Rosalynn Carter, born Eleanor Rosalynn Smith in Plains, Georgia, was an American activist and humanitarian who served as First Lady from 1977 to 1981. Throughout her public life, she was a prominent advocate for women's rights and mental health. After graduating from Plains High School as valedictorian and Georgia Southwestern College, she married Jimmy Carter in 1946. She played a significant role in her husband's political career, from his Georgia governorship to his presidency. As First Lady, she was an active participant, attending Cabinet meetings and representing the U.S. internationally, notably as an envoy to Latin America. She did not consider herself a traditional First Lady and was seen as an equal partner by her husband. After leaving the White House, she continued her advocacy, co-founded the Carter Center, supported Habitat for Humanity, and established the Institute for Caregivers. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999.

Born Eleanor Rosalynn Smith in Plains, Georgia, on August 18, 1927, she was the eldest of four children. Her parents were Wilburn Edgar Smith, an auto mechanic, bus driver, and farmer, and Frances Allethea Murray Smith, a teacher, dressmaker, and postal worker. Despite experiencing poverty, she and her siblings were largely unaware of it due to their community's similar circumstances. Her father's death in 1940 marked a significant turning point, leading her to help her mother and contribute to the family's income. She excelled academically, graduating as valedictorian from Plains High School. She attended Georgia Southwestern College, graduating in 1946 with a junior college diploma. During her college years, she was active in student organizations, including serving as vice president of her class and co-founding the Young Democrats club. She met Jimmy Carter in 1945, and they married in July 1946, which led her to postpone plans for further education.

Following her husband's election as Governor of Georgia in 1970, Rosalynn Carter dedicated her attention to mental health issues, serving on the Governor's Commission to Improve Services for the Mentally and Emotionally Handicapped. Many of the commission's proposals became law. She undertook a statewide tour of mental health facilities and considered her work with mentally disabled children her proudest achievement as First Lady of Georgia. She also volunteered at the Georgia Regional Hospital and chaired the Georgia Special Olympics. As Jimmy Carter prepared to run for president, Rosalynn became a key campaigner, traveling to 41 states to build support. She often addressed questions about her husband's relative obscurity and advocated for improved daycare facilities and Social Security benefits for the elderly. She also fundraised, an activity she found less enjoyable. During this period, she was recognized for her support of the Equal Rights Amendment and received a Volunteer of the Year Award.

During her husband's presidency (1977–1981), Rosalynn Carter redefined the role of First Lady. She actively participated in policy discussions, attending Cabinet meetings at President Carter's invitation to stay fully informed. She was not a passive figure but an engaged partner, representing the United States in meetings with domestic and foreign leaders, including a diplomatic mission to Latin America in 1977. She supported her husband's administration and policies. Her commitment extended to advocating for mental health causes and women's rights. She campaigned for his re-election bid in 1980, which ultimately failed. After leaving the White House, Rosalynn Carter continued her extensive public service, co-founding the Carter Center and working with organizations like Habitat for Humanity. She also founded the Institute for Caregivers in 1987 to support individuals caring for others.