Carter, Rosalynn Smith (1927-2023), was the wife of Jimmy Carter, who served as president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. Rosalynn Carter often advised her husband on government matters, and he referred to her as his partner. She promoted a number of social causes, including women’s rights and help for the mentally ill. After leaving the White House, she continued her involvement with social issues.
Mrs. Carter was born in Plains, Georgia, on Aug. 18, 1927. She was named Eleanor Rosalynn Smith, but was called Rosalynn instead of Eleanor. A studious girl, she graduated from high school as class valedictorian. In 1946, she received a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southwestern College (now Georgia Southwestern State University).
Rosalynn Smith and Jimmy Carter both grew up in the Plains area. Rosalynn was the best friend of Jimmy’s sister Ruth. Jimmy Carter became a student at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He and Rosalynn began dating during his summer vacation in 1945. They married on July 7, 1946. The Carters had four children. The children were, in order of birth, John William, James Earl III (usually called Chip), Donnel Jeffrey, and Amy Lynn.
Jimmy Carter was an officer in the United States Navy from 1946 to 1953. He and Rosalynn moved from place to place as his assignments changed. Jimmy Carter’s father, who owned a farm and a peanut warehouse, died in 1953. Jimmy wanted to return to Plains to manage his father’s businesses. Rosalynn Carter opposed this idea and wanted her husband to stay in the Navy. But Carter resigned from the Navy and took over the businesses. Rosalynn had bookkeeping skills and she helped handle that part of the enterprise.
Jimmy Carter entered Georgia politics in 1962 and was governor from 1971 to 1975. Rosalynn Carter was a tireless campaigner for her husband during his successful presidential bid in 1976. Rosalynn Carter became one of the most active first ladies. She made numerous speeches, gave regular interviews, and traveled widely both in the United States and abroad. A strong supporter of women’s rights, she actively backed the Equal Rights Amendment, which would give women and men equal rights by law (see Equal Rights Amendment). She called for increased career opportunities for women.
Mrs. Carter advocated improvements in the country’s mental health system. She worked on a government commission created to study ways to improve the system. The commission’s recommendations became part of a bill submitted to Congress. Mrs. Carter met with members of Congress to persuade them to support the bill, and Congress passed it in September 1980.
The Carters favored informality at White House social functions. For example, for receptions, they eliminated the practice of having trumpeters announce the presidential family and having a color guard precede it.
Rosalynn Carter remained active in social causes after her husband’s presidential term ended in 1981. She and Jimmy took part in Habitat for Humanity, an organization that builds houses for the poor. Rosalynn Carter continued to make speeches on mental health and other social issues.
In 1987, Georgia Southwestern State University formed the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Human Development in Mrs. Carter’s honor. The institute focuses on providing support and training for caregivers. Mrs. Carter served as president of the institute’s board of directors.
Mrs. Carter wrote several books. They include her autobiography, First Lady from Plains (1984), and Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life (1987), which she wrote with her husband. Mrs. Carter was also the coauthor of Helping Yourself Help Others: A Book for Caregivers (1994) and Helping Someone with Mental Illness: A Compassionate Guide for Family, Friends, and Caregivers (1998).
In 1999, Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter each received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Rosalynn Carter died on Nov. 19, 2023.
See also Carter, Jimmy.
