Rosalynn Carter: Our former first lady

By Ashley Peng, 2026

Published 12/22/2023

Recently, America lost our former First Lady Rosalynn Carter to dementia, ending a life of profound dedication and advocacy. Despite being most well-known for being the First Lady, Carter played a pivotal role as a partner to her husband and as a changemaker in her own right. Born and raised in Georgia, Rosalynn was the eldest of four in a unknowingly poverty-stricken household. For much of her early life she pursued academic excellence before marrying James “Jimmy” Carter, who was a naval student at the time. Soon, Jimmy began to embark upon a bold political career, and in addition to raising their children, Rosalynn began her lifelong role as a political partner to her husband.

 When Jimmy was elected the governor of Georgia, Rosalynn dedicated her time and energy to social issues, most notably the issue of mental health, visiting facilities and sitting on commissions dedicated to improvement efforts. She continued working alongside her husband on the campaign trail, promoting his platform for the Presidency in 1976. As First Lady, she remained politically active, sitting in on Cabinet meetings and on meetings with domestic and international leaders. Rosalynn was never defined by her hostess duties, instead doing work to promote the Equal Rights Amendment, renovate the DC General Hospital, and continue mental health advocacy, becoming the second first lady to testify in front of Congress and the first to have her own office. 

Following her time as First Lady, she extended her involvement in various causes, writing several books and working alongside Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center, an organization founded by her and her husband. Mental health remained a priority for Rosalynn and was a topic she spoke about publicly up until her death, alongside women’s rights. In 1999, she was awarded for her efforts, alongside her husband, by receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President Bill Clinton, plus an induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2001. While maintaining a private personal life since her departure from the White House, Rosalynn Carter was and will continue to be known as one of our country’s most prominent activists and humanitarian figures, having worked tirelessly to improve the lives of millions.