Rosalynn Carter

 

by Pa Rock

Citizen Journalist

The United States lost one of its very best people last Sunday with the passing of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter who died at her home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of ninety-six.   Mrs. Carter had recently been diagnosed with dementia, and had, only a couple of days before her death, entered hospice care at her home.  She  died peacefully with her husband of seventy-seven years, former President Jimmy Carter, and members of their family at her side.

Rosalynn Carter was active in her husband's political life and his presidency.   She was a powerful member of President Carter's inner circle and was known for sitting in on his cabinet meetings.  The amount of influence that she had during the four years of the Carter presidency was historic.  But Rosalynn Carter, like her husband, stayed active on the world stage for decades after the end of the Carter presidency.  Together she and Jimmy built houses for the poor, worked tirelessly to stop the spread of disease and hunger around the globe, monitored international elections to insure that democracy prevailed, and did so much to bring relief and hope to millions.  Rosalynn was also a determined advocate for making mental health treatment available to the masses.

She was not a political poster of a wife who prattled on in silly soundbites about things she didn't really understand.  Rosalynn Carter was an active partner of a United States President, and together they rolled up their sleeves and worked tirelessly to make not only America, but the entire world, a better place for everyone.

Rosalynn Carter has finally stopped to rest, but her memory will march on. May the spirit of joyous humanity that she inspired outlive us all and grow brighter through the ages.   

We are so fortunate to have had Rosalynn Carter walk among us.