Rosalynn Carter achieved many things as the First Lady of Georgia from 1971-1975 and the 39th First Lady of the United States.

The National Park Service (NPS) writes in an article that she was born in Plains, Georgia on August 18th, 1927 as Eleanor Rosalynn Smith and she was the oldest of four children (November 27th). Writing further about her life, NPS says that Carter’s father died from leukemia in 1940 (November 27th). This led to her and her mother both getting jobs to help support the family, but Carter was also able to save money for college (NPS, November 27th).

In her book The First Ladies of the United States of America Allida Black writes about how, while in college, Rosalynn developed a relationship with Jimmy Carter saying, “In 1945, after her freshman year, she first dated Jimmy Carter, who was home from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. Their romance progressed, and in 1946 they were married” (2009).

NPS states that the Carter’s had four children together, John William, James Earl III, Donnel Jeffrey and Amy Lynn before Jimmy Carter became Governor of Georgia in 1970 (November 27th). While First Lady of Georgia Rosalynn Carter worked on many things, including improving the living conditions of prisoners and helping people with mental health issues (NPS, November 27th).

Jimmy Carter became president in 1977 and Black writes in her book titled, The First Ladies of the United States of America, about the work Rosalynn did as First Lady stating, “She attended Cabinet meetings and major briefings, frequently represented the Chief Executive at ceremonial occasions, and served as the President’s personal emissary to Latin American countries” (2009). 

NPS writes that after Jimmy Carter didn’t get reelected in 1980 the Carter’s moved back to Plains, Georgia, where Rosalynn Carter wrote her first of many books, an autobiography titled First Lady from Plains (November 27th). NPS writes more about Carter’s accomplishments after being First Lady saying, “In 1982, the couple founded the Carter Center in Atlanta. The Center’s focus is on advancing the course of peace and human rights” (November 27th).

After years of service as both First Lady of Georgia and First Lady of the United States, NPS writes that “Mrs. Carter passed away on November 19, 2023 at ninety-six years of age at their longtime home in Plains, Georgia. President Carter and family were by her side” (November 27th).