Trailblazing First Lady and Mental Health Advocate, Rosalynn Carter, Passes Away at 96″
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Trailblazing First Lady and Mental Health Advocate, Rosalynn Carter, Passes Away at 96″
Rosalynn Carter, the former first lady known for her groundbreaking advocacy in mental health, has passed away at the age of 96. According to the Carter Center in Atlanta, Mrs. Carter passed away on November 19 at her home in Plains, Georgia, having made a significant contribution to the development of the modern First Lady’s Office. Her death comes after a battle with dementia, a condition disclosed by the center in May.
The Carters, with a marriage spanning over 77 years, hold the record for the longest presidential union in U.S. history. President Jimmy Carter, who ceased medical treatment for melanoma skin cancer earlier this year, spent his final months alongside his wife in Plains, where they had returned after his naval career.
During the 1976 presidential campaign, Rosalynn Carter earned the moniker “steel magnolia” for her soft-spoken Southern demeanor that belied her ambitious and resolute nature. She broke new ground by becoming the first first lady to maintain an office in the East Wing of the White House and the second, following Eleanor Roosevelt, to testify in Congress.
In a significant diplomatic move, President Jimmy Carter sent Mrs. Carter on a substantive trip to Latin America in 1977, covering seven countries and over 12,000 miles in 13 days. This unprecedented mission aimed to explain American foreign policy to a region the U.S. had been perceived as neglecting.
Beyond her diplomatic efforts, Rosalynn Carter championed causes close to her heart, including mental health, elder care, and the Equal Rights Amendment. She played a pivotal role in the historic peace talks between Menachem Begin of Israel and Anwar Sadat of Egypt at Camp David in 1978, ultimately brokering a peace agreement.
Mrs. Carter’s influence extended beyond the public eye. In moments of crisis for the Carter administration in 1979, she suggested a Cabinet shake-up and advised her husband to deliver what became known as the “malaise” speech, addressing a perceived crisis of confidence in the nation.
Despite facing skepticism about her commitment to feminism, Mrs. Carter’s impact on mental health issues was significant. Drawing from personal experiences, she advocated for greater understanding and support for those dealing with mental illnesses. Her efforts culminated in the congressional approval and funding of the Mental Health Systems Act of September 1980.
Rosalynn Carter’s legacy goes beyond her time in the White House. Alongside her husband, she co-founded the Carter Center, a non-profit committed to human rights and alleviating suffering globally. Her influence continued through extensive international travels, humanitarian work, and contributions to numerous books on caregiving and mental health.
The passing of Rosalynn Carter marks the end of an era for a trailblazing first lady who left an indelible mark on American politics and advocacy, particularly in the realm of mental health.
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