Facts about Rosalynn Carter: Fact Sheet of Rosalynn Carter Facts and Info: This fast fact sheet provides important information about Rosalynn Carter, First Lady of the United States of America. Facts about Rosalynn Carter: Fast Overview of Events in the White House Facts and Info: Rosalynn Carter assumed the position of First Lady to President Jimmy Carter. She witnessed the important events of his presidency that included the Camp David Peace agreement between Israel and Egypt, the declining economy, the Three Mile Island incident and the Iran hostage crisis. Personality and Character: Rosalynn Carter Quotes Facts and Info: An insight into the personal views, character and personality of this First Lady may be obtained from the following Rosalynn Carter quotes: "...I had already learned from more than a decade of political life that I was going to be criticized no matter what I did, so I might as well be criticized for something I wanted to do (If I had spent all day ‘pouring tea,’ I would have been criticized for that too.) Besides, it had been Jimmy’s idea, not mine, for me to sit in on the Cabinet meetings." Rosalynn Carter Quote "Image, however, did become an annoyance that wouldn't go away. I thought that if I were working productively & accomplishing something worthwhile, the image would take care of itself. Wrong. I learned that labels are easy to come by & hard to overcome." Rosalynn Carter quote Facts about Rosalynn Carter: Her Nickname "The Steel Magnolia" Facts and Info: The First Lady, Rosalynn Carter, was known by the nickname "The Steel Magnolia" because she was as delicate as the magnolia, and as tough as steel. Facts about Rosalynn Carter: First Events Facts and Info: Rosalynn Carter was the first presidential candidate's wife to ever make her own campaign promise, pledging that that as first lady she would make the welfare of the nation's mentally ill her priority. Facts about the Causes and Accomplishments of Rosalynn Carter Facts and Info: First Ladies are not elected so have no official role. Their accomplishments are therefore based on their own particular wishes that ranged from political interests, humanitarian and charitable causes or duties relating to their family or social responsibilities. The causes and accomplishments of Rosalynn Carter were demonstrated in her support of mental health programs, the elderly; community activism and volunteerism which encouraged Americans to perform social or educational work in their communities. Facts about Rosalynn Carter: The Early Life of Rosalynn Carter Facts and Info: Rosalynn Carter was born on August 18, 1927 in Botsford, Georgia. Her parents were Wilburn Edgar Smith & Frances Allethea “Allie” Murray Smith. Her father was a car mechanic who died of cancer when Rosalynn was 13 years old. Rosalynn helped her mother in a dressmaking business in order to pay the bills. Although there was little money in the family Rosalynn completed high school and enrolled in Georgia Southwestern College at Americus. She met Jimmy Carter, who was home from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, in 1945. The couple married on July 7, 1946 in Plains, Georgia. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter had 4 children named Jack, Chip, Jeff & Amy Lynn. When his father died in 1953, Jimmy left the Navy, and Jimmy and Rosalynn returned to Plains, Georgia to run the family peanut business. Jimmy Carter entered politics in 1962 when he won a seat in the Georgia Senate and Rosalynn Carter supported him all the way. Facts about Rosalynn Carter: Life at the White House Facts and Info: Jimmy Carter was elected President of the United States and Rosalynn Carter assumed the role as First Lady on January 20, 1977. Rosalynn made an immediate impact on the way the White House was run, checking the accounts and ensuring the food served at social events was relatively simple and inexpensive. Rosalynn Carter had managed a budget all her life and continued her frugal habits in the White House. This included imposing a ban on hard spirits at social events at the White House. Unlike many of her predecessors Rosalynn refrained from wearing expensive designer clothes preferring to wear more simple, less expensive styles of clothing. Rosalynn Carter was politically active supporting the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Rosalynn also attended Cabinet meetings and was the Active Honorary Chair of the President's Commission on Mental Health. She made good her campaign promise that as first lady she would make the welfare of the nation's mentally ill her priority. In 1979 the Mental Health Systems Bill was submitted to Congress to create a bill of rights protecting the mentally ill from discrimination and Rosalynn Carter testified about the bill before Congress. The Mental Health Systems Bill was passed in September 1980. Rosalynn also lobbied Congress for passage of the Age Discrimination Act, which lifted restrictions on the retirement age within the workforce. Her husband's presidency ended on January 20, 1981. Rosalynn Carter continues her support of mental health programs. |