Rest in Power: Rosalynn Carter--Feminist, First Lady, and ERA and Mental Health Advocate

(a beautiful selection of tributes to this truly remarkable woman)


Rest in Power: Rosalynn Carter—Feminist, First Lady, and ERA and Mental Health Advocate
11/27/2023 by Kathy Bonk


Rosalynn Carter speaks on the ERA in Houston in November 1977 during the National Women’s Conference, where 2,000 elected delegates and over 32,000 observers participated in the first and only federally funded national conference for women in U.S. history. (HUM Images / Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

In the many tributes written since Rosalynn Carter’s death on Nov. 19, one word often is used to describe her: trailblazer. Indeed, Rosalynn Carter was like no other first lady, since Eleanor Roosevelt. Rosalynn Carter established the first Office of the First Lady of the United States, complete with a budget and staff, and regularly attended cabinet meetings. Rosalynn Carter testified before Congress on mental health issues; made policy proposals on caregiving and established the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers in 1987; worked to advance women’s rights; and helped in the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

The first First Lady in history to have an office in the East Wing, Rosalynn provided the wise guidance and encouragement described in Jimmy Carter’s tribute message about her death: “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished. She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”

First Lady Jill Biden, along with many others, recognized her contributions: “She was well known for her efforts on mental health and caregiving and women’s rights.” “Rosalynn Carter walked her own path, inspiring a nation and the world along the way,” said the Bidens in a statement. “She was a champion for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls; an advocate for mental health and wellness for every person; and a supporter of the often unseen and uncompensated caregivers of our children, aging loved ones, and people with disabilities.”





Betty Friedan, Liz Carpenter, First Lady Rosalynn Carter, former first lady Betty Ford, Elly Peterson, Jill Ruckelshaus and Bella Abzug support the campaign for the Equal Rights Amendment in Houston at the 1977 National Women’s Conference. (Bettmann Archives / Getty Images)
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Former First Ladies Rosalynn Carter, Betty Ford and Lady Bird Johnson (centre-left, in green, blue and red, respectively) at the National Women’s Conference in November 1977. Also present is American writer and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou (far right). (HUM Images / Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

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On caregiving:

In 1987, when she founded the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, she said, “There are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers.” Asked once how she would like to be remembered, Rosalynn Carter said, “I would like for people to think that I took advantage of the opportunities I had and did the best I could.”

https://msmagazine.com/2023/11/27/rosalynn-carter/