She was the first presidential spouse to set up an office in the East Wing and hire a full staff. Many recalled Rosalynn Carter carrying a brief case filled with papers to the office every day.
She was a trusted adviser to the president, a participant in foreign and domestic affairs and often set up weekly meetings with Jimmy Carter in the Oval Office, Kate Anderson Brower, author of "First Women: The Grace and Power of America's Modern First Ladies," told USA Today in 2018.
Carter traveled the world, promoting her own platform of improving mental health care and her husband's position on human rights. She lobbied for the Equal Rights Amendment which granted legal gender equality to women and men.
Rosalynn Carter passed away on November 19, 2023.
Rosalynn Carter was known for her advocacy for mental health, elderly care, and community volunteerism. She actively worked to destigmatize mental illness and played a significant role in the passage of the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980.
Rosalynn Carter was married to Jimmy Carter for over 75 years, having wed in 1946. They were one of the longest-married presidential couples in U.S. history.
Yes, after her husband's presidency, Rosalynn Carter continued her advocacy work, particularly in the field of mental health. She was also involved in The Carter Center, which works to improve global human rights, public health, and democracy.
Rosalynn Carter had a significant impact on mental health policy in America through her advocacy and influence in shaping public policy. Her efforts helped bring mental health issues to the forefront of public policy discussions, leading to increased funding and the establishment of more comprehensive mental health care programs.