Dear Readers,
Over my years as a television journalist and producer, I interviewed several US presidents and their wives — or as we commonly refer to the woman married to a president, the first lady.
I had opportunities to interview Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton and Nancy Reagan, but the first ‘First Lady’ I ever interviewed (and in many ways, my favorite) was Rosalynn Carter. At that time, I was the host of “Panorama,” a daily live Washington, DC talk show and I had an up-close view of the Carters as I had White House press credentials. In fact, we started our new jobs in the nation’s capitol on the same day, Jan 20, 1977!
Perhaps because I was also born in a small town in South Georgia (not too far from Plains) and still had my southern accent, I got invited to White House dinners, was called on often in the press room and had the privilege of interviewing Rosalynn Carter twice – once during their first year and again at the beginning of what would be their final year in the White House.
But 1980 was certainly not their final year of service to their country. For both of them, their post-White House years bear witness to a deep commitment to public service. The 40-plus years they spent as former president and first lady working at The Carter Center has had a measurable impact around the world — and continues to do so.
As first lady, Rosalynn Carter also had a measurable impact in the many ways she redefined the role. She was a passionate advocate for mental health legislation and women's rights. She testified before Congress, advocating early and unflaggingly for mental health legislation which she eventually got passed by a Congress that was seldom aligned with the President’s agenda. She attended Cabinet meetings and she gave policy speeches, using her influence to help secure the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. She had more briefings on her daily calendar than teas, and not surprisingly, she was criticized for everything – except the teas.
Rosalynn Carter was a strong proponent of the Equal Rights Amendment. On the right is former First Lady Betty Ford, at the National Women’s Conference in support of the ERA on November 19, 1977. (Credit: Jimmy Carter Library)
She was often compared to Eleanor Roosevelt, the country's first activist first lady — an appropriate comparison for her impact. Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter also had a close personal partnership during their 77 years together, the longest marriage of any first couple in US history. He trusted her, as he often said, more than anyone, and she optimized her proximity to power as an opportunity, indeed a responsibility, to bring forward issues, like mental health and caregiving and volunteerism, that might not have been priorities without her persistence — and her personal power of persuasion. She pushed the boundaries and expectations of what a first lady should and could do, long before it was accepted.
Yesterday, along with many, I watched the funeral service for Rosalynn Carter that included many poignant tributes including Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock who summed up her life beautifully, “Rosalynn Carter doesn’t need tributes; her life was a sermon.” You can watch it here.
As I was reflecting on the impact she had on everyone who met her or worked with her, I found and watched again the interview I did with her in 1980, just as the campaign for a second term was launching. I have edited a short section of it to share with you (with apologies for the time code which is on this private record for copyright protection).
Rosalynn Carter’s own words remind us of what she worked towards her entire life as a working mother, wife, political campaigner, mental health advocate and compassionate, caring global citizen. She said, “Although there has been progress, women still struggle to take their full, rightful places in politics, the media, business and athletics. …I would like for people to think that I took advantage of the opportunities I had and did the best I could.”
Her “best” changed more than just the role or expectations for first ladies — she changed lives.
Rest in Power, Rosalynn Carter.
Onward!
- Pat
