(The Center Square) – Former First Lady Rosalyn Carter, who died Sunday, is being remembered for her advocacy and strength.
She was 96.
She and her husband of 77 years, former President Jimmy Carter, grew up together in rural Plains, Georgia. She was her husband’s closest advisor and was an advocate for women’s rights and the mentally ill.
President Joe Biden said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that “First Lady Rosalynn Carter walked her own path, inspiring a nation and the world along the way. On behalf a grateful nation, we send our love to the entire Carter family and the countless people whose lives are better, fuller, and brighter because of Rosalynn Carter.”
Gov. Brian Kemp said on Facebook that “A proud native Georgian, she had an indelible impact on our state and nation as a First Lady to both. Working alongside her husband, she championed mental health services and promoted the state she loved across the globe.”
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., said on X that “Among her many accomplishments, Rosalynn Carter will be remembered for her compassionate nature and her passion for women’s rights, human rights and mental health reform.”
Georgia’s other U.S. senator, Sen. Raphael Warnock, also released a statement on X. He said “As a champion for all Georgians, her impact on our state was immeasurable. She embodied the principles of love, justice and humility that resonate in our faith traditions.”
He also said that she helped destigmatize mental health care and that her humanitarian work was not about politics, but about “uplifting the vulnerable, showing mercy and embodying the belief that we are all connected.”
