Remembering Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter

Written by: Ashna Balroop | Edited by: Veronika Bianca Millena

On Nov. 12, 2023, Rosalynn Carter’s family announced that she would be entering Hospice Care along with her husband and former President of The United States, Jimmy Carter. Seven days later, the Carter family announced that she had died at 96 years old. Carter lived a life full of notable achievements.

Her husband served as President of The United States from 1977 to 1981. During her time as First Lady, Carter was an outspoken supporter of women’s rights. For example, she supported the Equal Rights Amendment which guaranteed equal rights for all Americans, regardless of sex. Additionally, she encouraged women to have jobs that weren’t home-based, and she persuaded the Pentagon to hire more women as White House Honor guards.

Rosalynn Carter changed the narrative of what first ladies should be like in the United States. She was the first presidential spouse to attend cabinet meetings. Critics of Rosalynn Carter believed she should’ve “stayed in her lane” and been a traditional First Lady. But, Carter was not one to back down. She campaigned for the “Office of The First Lady” to be instituted in America. She was the first to meet with foreign leaders on her own, teaching herself Spanish to communicate with leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean. She discussed drug trade, economic policy, and arms control, just as many male politicians did.

After her term in office, Rosalynn founded The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia along with her husband. The center focuses on improving the lives of people in different countries across the world by improving mental health care, preventing diseases, and advancing human rights.

Cemented in history, Rosalynn Carter will be remembered for her passionate leadership in fighting for equality. Current Vice President Kamala Harris stated that her “legacy will be a beacon for generations to come,” and is unequivocally right for saying so.

Portrait of Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter // Photo Credit: CNN

Sources

Becker, Amanda. “How Rosalynn Carter Led on Caregiving and Mental Health.” The 19th, 20 Nov. 2023, 19thnews.org/2023/11/groundbreaking-first-lady-rosalynn-carter/.

Carter Center — New Georgia Encyclopedia, www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/carter-center/. Accessed 26 Nov. 2023.

Collier, Caroline. “Rosalynn Carter’s Southern Feminism.” TCU Magazine, 20 Sept. 2019, magazine.tcu.edu/spring-2016/rosalynn-carter-southern-feminism/.

“Equal Rights Amendment.” Equal Rights Amendment, www.equalrightsamendment.org/. Accessed 26 Nov. 2023.

Reactions to the Death of Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady and Global …, www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2023-11-19/reactions-to-the-death-of-rosalynn-carter-former-first-lady-and-global-humanitarian. Accessed 26 Nov. 2023.

“Rosalynn Carter.” Miller Center, 23 Aug. 2023, millercenter.org/president/carter/essays/carter-1977-firstlady.

“Rosalynn Smith Carter.” The White House, The United States Government, 15 Jan. 2021, www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/rosalynn-smith-carter/.