Rosalynn Carter praised for humanitarian work and mental health advocacy
Not long after Rosalynn Carter, the former first lady, died on Sunday, politicians from both sides of the aisle praised her work in that public role and the progress she made on women’s rights, mental health and many other issues.
The Carter Center in Atlanta announced her death, calling her “a passionate advocate for mental health, caregiving and women’s rights.” The center announced in May that Mrs. Carter was suffering from dementia and on Friday that she had been admitted to hospice care at home.
Like many first ladies, Mrs. Carter used her prominent position to champion a cause: the treatment of mental illness. She was named honorary chair of the Carter Administration’s Mental Health Commission, and she chaired the White House Conference on Aging, which began in 1977. She held national hearings on both topics, testified before Congress, and pushed for legislation to support mental health centers and to offer insurance for the care of mental illnesses.
Her work to raise awareness in these areas was fondly remembered by many who commented on her legacy.
Former President George W. Bush and the former first lady, Laura Bush, described Mrs. Carter as a woman of “dignity and strength.” in a social media post through the George W. Bush Presidential Center, and praised the work she did to destigmatize mental health.
At a “Friends Celebration” event with troops and their family members in Virginiathe first lady, Jill Biden, noted the work Mrs. Carter had done for “mental health and caregiving and women’s rights.” President Biden posted on X that Mrs. Carter had “forged her own path and inspired a nation and the world along the way.”
Former first lady Michelle Obama recalled the support Mrs. Carter offered her when she first took on the role.
“When our family was in the White House, Rosalynn would join me for lunch every now and then, offering a few words of advice and always – always – a helping hand,” she said in a statement. “She reminded me to make the role of first lady my own, just as she did. I will always be grateful for her support and her generosity.”
Former President Donald Trump posted the social media site Truth Social that Mrs. Carter had won the respect of the entire country.
“Over a life of nearly a century, Rosalynn Carter earned the admiration and gratitude of our entire nation,” he said.
Former first lady Melania Trump told Mrs. Carter “leaves a meaningful legacy not only as First Lady, but also as a wife and mother.”
In a joint statementsaid former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, “Rosalynn will forever be remembered as the epitome of a life lived with purpose.”
Other political notables who paid tribute to Mrs. Carter included the vice president Kamala Harris; Representative Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives; Senator Bernie Sanders; Government Kathy Hochul from New York; and governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania.
Praise for Mrs. Carter extended far beyond the political arena.
Habitat for Humanity honored her contributions in a post on
The Smithsonian posted on X a 1978 photo from the archives of her visit to the National Museum of American History.
Lynda Carter, best known for starring in a live-action television series as Wonder Woman, called Mrs. Carter a “champion of the American people.”
“Being First Lady is an unenviable task, but Rosalynn Carter handled it with strength and grace.” she wrote in a message on X.