GPB Originals
Remembering Rosalynn Carter
Special | 30m 57sVideo has Closed Captions
Commemorations of the life of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter .
Commemorations of the life of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter have taken place throughout the state this week before she was laid to rest today.
GPB Originals is a local public television program presented by GPB
GPB Originals
Remembering Rosalynn Carter
Special | 30m 57sVideo has Closed Captions
Commemorations of the life of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter have taken place throughout the state this week before she was laid to rest today.
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>>> WELCOME TO THE SPECIAL, REMEMBER -- REMEMBERING ROSALYNN CARTER.
YOU HAD A CHANCE TO GET TO KNOW BOTH ROSALYNN CARTER AND FORMER PRESIDENT CARTER, SO I'M GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE.
THESE DAYS HAVE BEEN A LOT.
THEY'VE BEEN JOYFUL IN A WAY, CELEBRATING HER LIFE.
>> THERE BEEN TWO SERVICES IN 24 HOURS.
THIS REMARKABLE LIFE.
THESE SERVICES WERE DISTINCTLY SIMILAR.
DESIGNED BY PHILIP SHALL SEE, SO MUCH AT EMORY, AS WELL, PRESIDENTS AND FIRST LADIES, AND SO MANY IMPORTANT PEOPLE.
IT WAS IN THIS SMALL COMMUNITY FROM WHICH THEY CAME, AND IT WAS SO AMAZING TO LOOK AT THESE FACES, TO LISTEN TO THE SERVICE, THESE GIANT LIVES.
THIS IS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN AND THIS IS WHERE IT ALL ENDED.
WHEN YOU THINK OF THE CARTER'S, IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT THEIR PRESENCE.
THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE PRESENT FOR ALMOST 60 YEARS AND YOU ALWAYS SORT OF TOOK THEM FOR GRANTED.
THEY LIVED AMONG US.
YOU CAN SEE THEM EATING PIZZA, WHEN THAT WAS A RESTAURANT NEAR EMORY UNIVERSITY, YOU WOULD SEE THEM AT GAMES, OR TALK WITH THEM AT FALCONS PLANES.
--FALCONS GAMES.
IT'S A MOVING DAY FOR EVERYONE WHO LOVES AMERICAN POLITICS.
>>> WHEN ASKED WHAT SHE WANTED TO BE REMEMBERED FOR, SHE SAID, I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES I WAS GIVEN.
MRS. CARTER DID MORE THAN THAT.
>>> BECAUSE OF ROSALYNN CARTER , MILLIONS OF LIVES ARE BETTER OFF.
WHAT A GIFT SHE LEFT.
BECAUSE HE IS NOT ABLE TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY, MY DARLING, EVERY TIME I HAVE EVER BEEN AWAY FROM YOU , I HAVE BEEN THRILLED WHEN I RETURN TO DISCOVER JUST HOW WONDERFUL YOU ARE.
WHILE I AM AWAY, I TRIED TO CONVINCE MYSELF THAT YOU COULD NOT BE AS SWEET AND BEAUTIFUL AS I REMEMBER.
WHEN I SEE YOU, I FOLLOWED UP WITH YOU ALL OVER AGAIN.
DOES THAT SEEM STRANGE TO YOU?
IT DOES NOT TO ME.
GOODBYE, DARLING.
UNTIL TOMORROW.
JIMMY.
>> THANK YOU.
CONGRESS, PEOPLE, THANK YOU ALL.
AGAIN, A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO SECRETARY CLINTON , MRS. TRUMP, AND DR. BIDEN.
THANK YOU FOR COMING AND ACKNOWLEDGING THIS SISTERHOOD YOU SHARE WITH MY GRANDMOTHER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP THAT YOU PROVIDED FOR OUR COUNTRY AND THE WORLD.
SECRETARY CLINTON AND DR. BIDEN, WE WELCOME YOUR LOVING HUSBAND'S.
AS THE SONG SAYS, SHE KNEW THAT WHAT COMES BACK , WHEN YOU GET YOUR LOVE AWAY .
FOR MY GRANDMOTHER, WHAT CAME BACK WAS THIS UNSHAKABLE STRENGTH AND HIS POWERFUL FAITH AND NOT JUST AN ABIDING LOVE, BUT AN ADVENTUROUS LOVE THAT SUSTAINED HER ON ALL OF THESE LONG JOURNEYS.
>>> SO MUCH LOVE .
WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE JOIN US CENTER SUMMARIES , RIGHT HERE, NEXT TO THE PLAINS, RIGHT NEXT TO THE CARTER'S HOME.
>> IT'S A FAIRYTALE.
THIS IS A LADY THAT GREW UP IN PLAINS, GEORGIA .
THIS IS AN AREA THAT YOU WOULD NOT EVEN KNOW EXISTED IF IT WASN'T FOR JIMMY CARTER .
THIS LADY GREW UP IN AN AREA DOWN THERE , THEY GREW UP , THEY HAD LOTS OF CHILDREN , THEY WORKED TOGETHER.
THEIR BOND WAS AMAZING.
THE FAMILY , THEY ARE NOT FLAMBOYANT.
THEY ARE VERY COMMON PEOPLE , EVERYDAY PEOPLE THAT JUST SHARED A BOND WITH THEIR RELATIVES, THEIR FAMILY, THEIR FRIENDS.
IT'S A FAIRYTALE , SHE WAS PLUCKED OUT , JIMMY CARTER BECAME PRESIDENT, THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PLACES YOU COULD POSSIBLY BE.
IT'S AN AMAZING FAIRYTALE, GROWING UP KNOWING THE FAMILY, THEY ARE SUCH SWEET, KIND PEOPLE.
>> MOVE THE CALENDAR FORWARD , WHAT DOES PLANES LOOK LIKE?
THERE'S BEEN GREAT CONCERN , BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN IN ECONOMIC ENGINE , ROLLING THROUGH TOWN TO TAKE PICTURES.
THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 1976.
NOW WITH ROSALYNN CARTER GONE AND JIMMY CARTER IN THE MIST OF HOSPICE, WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
>> I HOPE IT BECOMES AN ELVIS PRESLEY OR MICHAEL JACKSON TYPE THING WHERE PEOPLE ARE SO CONTINUE TO GO IN LARGER QUANTITIES.
>> WHERE IT IS PUT IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, IT'S HARD TO GET THERE.
IT'S A WAYS FROM COLUMBUS, FROM MACON, YOU HAVE TO REALLY DESIRE TO GO THERE BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT GOING TO STUMBLE UPON IT.
>> IF YOU GET OFF OF I-75, YOU CAN BE THERE IN 40 MINUTES WITHOUT TRAFFIC.
>> YOU CAN GET GREAT WATERMELONS THERE.
>> IT'S OFF THE BEATEN PATH.
I HONESTLY THINK THAT WHAT THESE EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED , 77 YEARS OF MARRIAGE.
I DON'T KNOW PEOPLE LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?
OFFERING FIVE BOOKS, THAT SHE DID, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IS SO BIG IN AMERICA AND IT'S ALL OVER THE WORLD.
TO KNOW.
HOW ABOUT THE WHOLE FAMILY?
>> IT'S A COMPLICATED, INTERESTING, FASCINATING FAMILY .
ALL OF THESE CARTER'S THAT MAKE UP THIS FAMILY, THESE COMPELLING FIGURES IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
>> QUITE A CHARACTER.
A LOVELY INDIVIDUAL.
WE DID FOR H .
WONDERFUL PEOPLE.
I THINK IT CARRIES ON.
I THINK THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE THEIR CHILDREN BE INSPIRED BY WHAT THEIR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS HAVE DONE AND I THINK IT WILL CARRY ON.
I HAVE NO DOUBT.
>> IF IT'S IN YOUR BLOOD, IT'S IN YOUR BLOOD.
>> THESE LAST FEW DAYS HAVE SHOWN PEOPLE A LOT AND EVEN WHEN THEY WERE NOT THERE, PEOPLE WILL STILL TRAVEL.
I DID.
OF COURSE, I HAD A CHILD.
>> WE HAVE THIS TRAIN , AND THEY RUN THIS THING ONCE A MONTH, SOMETIMES TWICE.
IT'S PACKED ALL THE TIME.
YOU GET OFF IN PLAINS, EAST ON THE DAY, AND IT BRINGS YOU BACK.
YOU GO YOUR OWN SEPARATE WAYS.
THOSE THINGS CONTINUE.
>> IT'S SUCH AN INTERESTING POINT.
EVERY TIME I'VE MADE THE JOURNEY THERE, WE ARE LIVING IN ATLANTA, YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE CARTER'S BUT YOU NEVER MADE THE TRIP, YOU SHOULD DO IT.
THINK ABOUT THE DEPRESSION IN THE UNITED STATES, THE 1930S.
MAGNIFY THAT BY 1000 IN THE SOUTH.
GETTING OUT OF THE SOUTH DURING THE DEPRESSION, MY GOODNESS, WAS ALMOST AN IMPOSSIBILITY.
PLAINS IS IN THE DICTIONARY.
YOU DON'T IT'S A CULTURE SHOCK .
YOU HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE LIVE IN THE DIFFERENT QUADRANTS OF THE WORLD.
THAT AREA DOWN THERE, I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THE CARTER'S ARE NOT 95% OF THE COMMUNITY.
DISTANT RELATIVES, AUNTS AND UNCLES, TONS OF COUSINS, YOU GROW UP WITH FAMILY.
THE ONES THAT ARE NOT IMMEDIATE FAMILY, THEY ARE FAMILY BECAUSE OF THE RELATIONSHIP OF A SMALL COMMUNITY.
>> WE WILL CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION , BUT FIRST, WE HAVE MORE ON THE LIFE OF ROSALYNN CARTER .
>>> ELINOR ROSELYN SMITH WAS BORN AUGUST 18th, 1927 IN PLAINS, GEORGIA.
HUNDRED AND 40 MILES SOUTH OF ATLANTA, TWO YEARS BEFORE THE GREAT DEPRESSION.
HER FAMILY KNEW HARDSHIP IN THIS TINY, SOFT GEORGIA TOWN.
>> WE TALKED ABOUT IT GROWING UP , AND THE TWO THINGS SHE ALWAYS SAID, WE WERE POOR BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW IT.
>> WHEN HER FATHER DIED, ROSALYNN HAD TO BECOME CARETAKER TO HER SIBLINGS AND RUN THE HOUSEHOLD AFTER HER FATHER WENT OFF TO WORK.
>> EDGAR SMITH PLUNGED THE FAMILY INTO POVERTY AS THE OLDEST CHILD, ROSALYNN HAD TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY MUCH BEYOND HER YEARS.
>> I THINK THAT WHAT SHE DID WAS TURN HER CONCERN FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE, IN THIS UPBRINGING WHERE YOU TOOK CARE OF ONE ANOTHER.
THAT WAS PART OF THE ETHOS OF BEING RAISED IN A SMALL TOWN.
>> IN HIGH SCHOOL, ROSALYNN BEFRIENDED RUTH CARTER, ONE OF THE FEW GIRLS HER AGE IN THE AREA.
INSIDE THE CARTER FAMILY HOME ON THE PICTURE OF THIS YOUNG NAVAL ACADEMY CADET.
>> THERE WAS A PHOTOGRAPH OF WOULD MOOD OVER WHEN SHE WENT TO SEE HER FRIEND, RUTH.
SO, SHE WAS KIND OF IN LOVE WITH HIM FROM AFAR.
THAT WAS BEFORE THEY HAD THEIR FIRST DATE.
>> WHEN JIMMY RICK CARTER -- WHEN JIMMY CARTER RETURNED ON LEAVE, AFTER PRODDING FROM HIS SISTER, HE ASKED ROSALYNN TO A MOVIE.
IT WAS THE FIRST TIME ROSALYNN HAD KISSED A BOY ON THE FIRST DATE.
SHE WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE INFATUATED.
WHEN CARTER RETURNED HOME, HE TOLD HIS MOTHER HE HAD MET THE WOMAN HE WANTED TO MARRY.
JIMMY CARTER AND ROSALYNN SMITH WERE MARRIED JULY 7th, 1946.
ROSALYNN MOVED FROM ONE NAVAL BASE TO THE NEXT.
SHE GAVE BIRTH TO THREE SONS, JACK, CHIP, AND JEFF.
SHE OFTEN HAD TO RAISE THEM ALONE .
>> WILL BE FIRST MARRIED, JENNY WAS IN THE NAVY AND WAS GONE.
I WAS AT HOME TAKING CARE OF THE CHILDREN, THE BABIES , AND I HAD TO LEARN TO DO THINGS WITHOUT HIM.
>> IN 1953, JIMMY CARTER'S FATHER DIED.
BELIEVING HE COULD MAKE MORE OF A DIFFERENCE BY RETURNING TO GEORGIA THEN REMAINING IN THE NAVY, CARTER DECIDED TO RESIGN HIS COMMISSION AND RETURN TO TAKE OVER HIS FATHER'S BUSINESS.
FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS, THE CARTER'S RAN THEIR PEANUT FARM .
ROSALYNN STUDIED ACCOUNTING AND TOOK ON MUCH OF THE BOOKKEEPING AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES.
>> I STARTED KEEPING BOOKS , FOR THE BUSINESS AND PRETTY SOON, HE WAS ASKING ME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BUSINESS BECAUSE I KNOW A LOT.
>> WHEN JIMMY CARTER DECIDED TO RUN FOR STATE SENATE, ROSALYNN FOUND THAT SHE HAD A TALENT FOR CAMPAIGNING AND A KEEN POLITICAL MIND.
>> ROSALYNN CARTER STARTED OUT VERY SHY , DID NOT THINK SHE COULD GIVE A SPEECH , WOULD SOMETIMES VOMIT IF SHE HAD TO GIVE A SPEECH, BUT PRETTY QUICKLY SHE DEVELOPED A TASTE FOR CAMPAIGNING.
SHE LOVED GOING TO A TOWN WHERE SHE KNEW NOBODY, PASSING OUT LEAFLETS , MAKE A BEELINE FOR THE RADIO STATION, AND GO ON THE AIR AND TALK ABOUT HER HUSBAND AND SHE DID IT VERY EFFECTIVELY.
>> WE JUST DEVELOPED A WORKING RELATIONSHIP.
>> TRENCHES POLITICAL AMBITION LED HIM TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR IN 1966, BUT THE THIRD-PLACE FINISH IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY AND THAT ONE.
AFTER THE BIRTH OF THEIR DAUGHTER, AMY, IN 1967, THE CARTER'S DECIDED TO RUN AGAIN.
IT WAS DURING HIS CAMPAIGN ROSALYNN CARTER FOUND HER LIFE'S CALLING.
>> PEOPLE WOULD COME TO HER AND SAY, MRS. CARTER, WHAT IS YOUR HUSBAND GOING TO DO TO PROVE THINGS IN GEORGIA?
ROSALYNN, WHEN SOMEONE TELLS HER ABOUT A PROBLEM, SHE WANTS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
SHE IS VERY ACTION ORIENTED.
SHE ALSO HAS JUST INCREDIBLE EMPATHY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE VULNERABLE AND SUFFERING.
ALL OF THOSE STORIES TOUCHED HER.
>> ROSALYNN DECIDED TO BRING IT TO THE ATTENTION OF HER CANDIDATE HUSBAND AT A RALLY.
>> HE REACHED FOR MY HAND AND HE SAID, WHAT ARE YOU DOING , HERE?
I SAID, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS WHEN YOU ARE GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA.
HE SAID I'M GOING TO PUT YOU IN CHARGE OF THE BEST PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY.
>> CARTER DID ADVOCATE FOR BETTER MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION.
WHEN GOVERNOR CARTER DECIDED TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT --PRESIDENT IN 1974, HE RECRUITED ROSALYNN.
SHE TOOK ON THE ROLE OF FULL- TIME CAMPAIGNER, OFTEN RUNNING HER OWN SEPARATE SCHEDULE.
>> SHE WAS SEEN AS JIMMY CARTER'S SECRET WEAPON.
ROSALYNN CARTER ALLOWED HER HUSBAND TO ESSENTIALLY BE IN TWO PLACES AT THE SAME TIME , TO CAMPAIGN IN TWO PLACES AT THE SAME TIME.
THAT'S A HUGE ASSET IN POLITICS.
>> WHEN HER HUSBAND WON THE ELECTION, SHE WAS ASKED ABOUT HER NEW ROLE.
WE MET I ASKED YOU -- >> I ASKED WHEN SHE BECAME FIRST LADY IF SHE WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM LIVING IN THE FISHBOWL, SHE SAID, I AM FROM A TOWN OF 600 PEOPLE.
EVERYONE HAS ALWAYS KNOWN MY BUSINESS.
>> WHEN HE REACHED THE WHITE HOUSE, JIMMY CARTER TASKED ROSALYNN CARTER WITH TAKING ON NEW ROLES.
NOT ONLY WAS SHE TO BE HIS "ANTENNA AND LIGHTNING ROD TO PICK UP THE STATIC OF THE ELECTORATE," -- >> SHE HAD A GREATER ABILITY THAN HE DID TO TRAVEL AROUND CONCERNS AND NEEDS OF AMERICANS.
IN MANY WAYS, SHE WAS A CRITICAL COMMUNICATION PIECE FOR HIM , AROUND WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE COUNTRY , WHAT PEOPLE WERE THINKING, AND WHAT THEY WERE EXPECTING OF THE ADMINISTRATION OR HOW THEY WERE REACTING TO THE ADMINISTRATION.
>> SHE WAS ALSO THE FIRST PERSON THE PRESIDENT CONSULTED ON ISSUES.
>> SHE IS HIS MOST TRUSTED ADVISER , AND I BELIEVE THAT STEMS FROM THEIR LIFE EXPERIENCE , BUILDING THIS PARTNERSHIP , AND FROM THE FACT THAT THEY COULD BE BRUTALLY HONEST WITH EACH OTHER.
>> ROSALYNN CARTER WAS THE FIRST FIRST LADY TO HAVE AN OFFICE IN THE EAST WING, AS WELL AS PROFESSIONAL POLICY STAFF.
LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER JIMMY CARTER WON THE PRESIDENCY, SHE CONVINCED HER HUSBAND TO CREATE A PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ON MENTAL HEALTH.
>> FOR TOO LONG, THESE PEOPLE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE CARE THEY NEED AND THAT A CARING SOCIETY SHOULD PROVIDE.
>> SHE HELD HEARINGS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS AND SPEARHEADED THE PASSAGE OF THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS ACT OF 1980.
>> EVERYONE IN OUR COUNTRY CAN REALIZE IT'S JUST AN ILLNESS LIKE ANY OTHER.
>> CATHERINE CATES SAID THAT IN PART BECAUSE OF ROSALYNN CARTER'S WORK, THE STIGMA OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND ITS TREATMENT HAS DRAMATICALLY CHANGED.
>> TODAY, MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT AFRAID TO SEEK HELP, THEY ARE NOT AFRAID TO ADMIT THEY NEED HELP, AND TODAY, MOST PEOPLE CAN RECOVER FROM MENTAL ILLNESSES.
THE HOPE OF RECOVERY IS REAL AND TANGIBLE.
>> IT WAS JUST ONE OF THE HEALTH ISSUES SHE CHAMPIONED.
>> ROSALYNN CARTER AND A WOMAN NAMED BETTY BUMPERS , FROM ARKANSAS, THEY WENT AROUND THE COUNTRY AND CONVINCED MANY STATE LEGISLATORS TO REQUIRE VACCINATIONS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN FOR SCHOOL.
THIS SAVED MANY LIVES AND WAS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH.
>> ONCE A WEEK, THE PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY MET FOR LUNCH TO DISCUSS VARIOUS TOPICS AND PROJECTS THAT EACH WAS WORKING ON BUT INCREASINGLY, THE PRESIDENT FOUND HIS WIFE WANTING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT HAD TRANSPIRED.
>> EVERY TIME SHE STEPS OFF THE ELEVATOR, THE CAMERA WAS ROLLING, WHY DID YOU DO THIS, WHY DIDN'T YOU DO THAT?
THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE SOMETHING ON THE RADIO OR TELEVISION AND HE SAID WHY DON'T YOU JUST COME TO THE CABINET MEETINGS?
SO, I WENT TO CABINET MEETINGS AND I NEVER DID SPEAK UP , THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT OF PLACE, IN THE AFTERNOONS WE WOULD TALK ABOUT IT.
>> PRESIDENT CARTER FREELY ADMITTED THAT ROSALYNN AND MUCH BETTER INSTINCTS FOR POLITICS .
THE WHITE HOUSE STAFF GREW TO RESPECT HER CANDID AND SOMEWHAT TOUGH ADVICE.
SHE SOON EARNED THE NICKNAME OF "THE STEEL MAGNOLIA IN THE WEST ROSALYNN ALSO LOBBIED HEAVILY FOR THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT.
SHE PUSHED HER HUSBAND TO HIRE MORE WOMEN AND MINORITIES TO THE CABINET AND FEDERAL JUDGE SHIPS.
PRESIDENT CARTER APPOINTED 262 FEDERAL JUDGES, INCLUDING 55 MINORITIES AND 40 WOMEN.
THAT'S THE MOST BY PRESIDENT, UP TO THAT TIME.
ONE OF THE BEST-KNOWN WAS RUTH BADER GINSBURG.
PRESIDENT CARTER PUSHED A VERY AMBITIOUS AGENDA THROUGH CONGRESS, WITH MANY SUCCESSES THAT STILL REVERBERATE TODAY.
AMERICANS AT THE TIME DID NOT ALWAYS FEEL THE BENEFITS.
HIGH INTEREST RATES, ALONG WITH HIGH INFLATION WITH SLOW GROWTH, STAGFLATION, AND THE IRANIAN HOSTAGE SITUATION PLUNGED JIMMY CARTER'S APPROVAL RATING.
RONALD REAGAN WON THE 1980 ELECTION IN A LANDSLIDE.
THE CARTER'S CALLED THEIR DEPARTURE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE THEIR " INVOLUNTARY RETIREMENT."
>> WELL, FIRST WE WROTE BOOKS AND IN WRITING THE BOOKS, WE REALIZED , HOW BEING IN THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION , WE KNEW WHAT WAS IMPORTANT.
I KNOW THAT I WOKE UP ONE NIGHT WITH JIMMY SITTING STRAIGHT UP, I THOUGHT HE WAS SICK.
HE SAID, WE CAN HAVE A PLACE TO RESOLVE CONFLICT.
IT STARTED .
>> THEY FORMED THE CARTER CENTER IN 1982 AND QUICKLY MOVED BEYOND JUST RESOLVING CONFLICT.
GINNY AND ROSALYNN EXPANDED THEIR WORKS INCLUDE ERADICATING DISEASE, PROMOTING SOUND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES, ELECTION MONITORING, BUILDING HOMES WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, AND HIGH-PROFILE PEACEMAKING.
HUSBAND TO AFRICA, CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA, ASIA, AND EUROPE, PERMITTING HUMAN RIGHTS.
>> MY GRANDMOTHER HAS ALWAYS BEEN COMMITTED TO MENTAL HEALTH.
MY GRANDFATHER HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM SOLVING ENGINEER WHO WANTS TO ENSURE THAT THE POOREST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD GET TREATED AS WELL AS THEY CAN AND TO TAKE THE COMMANDMENT TO DO AND TREAT EVERYONE AS YOU WOULD YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR.
THAT COMMANDMENT , FOR THEM, IS REAL.
I THINK THAT HAS DRIVEN THEM , NOT JUST BEFORE THE WHITE HOUSE, BUT AFTER THE WHITE HOUSE, EXEMPLIFIED TO THAT TIME AT THE CARTER CENTER.
>> MRS. CARTER ALSO CONTINUED TO COMBAT THE STIGMA OF MENTAL ILLNESS BY CREATING THE CARTER CENTER'S MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM, PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS AND POLICIES AROUND THE WORLD.
IN 1987, SHE FOUNDED THE ROSALYNN CARTER INSTITUTE FOR CAREGIVERS AT GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY.
SHE WAS RECOGNIZED FOR HER WORK THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM AND WAS INDUCTED INTO THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME IN 2001.
>> WE ARE PRIVILEGED .
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAS GIVEN US UNLIMITED CHANCES, UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITIES , AND WE HAVE WONDERFUL FRIENDS WHO SUPPORT THE CARTER CENTER AND MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO DO THINGS WE NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO.
>> WHEN ASKED HOW SHE WOULD LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED, ROSALYNN CARTER SAID , " I WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO THINK THAT I TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES I HAD AND DID THE BEST I COULD."
>>> WE CAN SIT HERE FOR HOURS TALKING ABOUT CARTER STORIES.
SENATOR SUMMERS TOLD A STORY ABOUT ROSALYNN CARTER .
WHAT WAS IT LIKE?
>> SHE WAS A CHARMING LADY.
ARE, RIGHT HERE.
SHE WAS SO THANKFUL FOR WHAT ROSALYNN CARTER DID AND WHAT PRESIDENT CARTER DID TO BRING PEACE TO THAT AREA AND SHE JUST CAME AND BRIBED ON NOT.
JUST AMAZING TRIBUTE TO SAY THANK YOU.
>> THAT STRENGTH OF CHARACTER , DO YOU THINK THAT SUMTER COUNTY CLAIMS ALL OF THIS SORT OF LAID THE FOUNDATION ?
>> WITHOUT A DOUBT.
I KEEP TELLING EVERYBODY, THIS WILL GROW.
THIS WILL CONTINUE.
PEOPLE, UNFORTUNATELY, SHE HAS BEEN REMEMBERED GREATLY THROUGH HER LIFE.
I THINK SHE WILL BE EVEN MORE SO AFTER DEATH.
THERE IS LIFE AFTER DEATH.
SHE WILL EXPERIENCE IT AGAIN AND IT --PEOPLE WILL EXPERIENCE LIFE AFTER DEATH.
I JUST HEARD WHAT SHE WANTED TO BE REMEMBERED BY, BUT SHE ALSO SAID, "DO WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SHOW OTHERS YOU CARE ABOUT WORLD A BETTER PLACE."
>> JUST LAYING IT OUT.
>> IF PEOPLE FOLLOW THAT GUIDELINE , THE WHOLE BAPTIST FAMILY, AS YOU REITERATED, TEACHING SUNDAY SCHOOL.
PEOPLE CAME FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
SHE DID THAT, TOO.
THEY WERE ALL TOGETHER IN THESE CHURCHES.
LIKE YOU SAID EARLY ON THAT PEOPLE DID NOT QUITE UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANT.
>> I THINK THEY DID NOT TAKE IT SERIOUS.
PART OF THE WORLD DID NOT, THE BIG CITIES.
>> A LOT OF BIAS AGAINST THE SOUTH.
>> THAT'S WHAT IT WAS.
A PEANUT FARMER TO THE WHITE HOUSE?
A PEANUT FARMER THAT HAD SO MANY MORALS AND ETHICS THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE UP THERE AND IT CARED EVERYBODY WHEN HE GOT THERE.
>> IT'S A SYMBOL OF A CHANGING SOUTH , SOUTH THAT WE SEE TODAY.
A SELF THAT HAS HAD A HUGE POPULATION SWELL, ECONOMIC BOOM, NASHVILLE, CHARLOTTE, BIRMINGHAM , GREENVILLE, DOING A GREAT JOB WITH ITS REFURBISHMENT AS WELL.
THIS IS A VERY DIFFERENT SOUTH IN 2023 THEN 1976.
>> TO BRING IT BACK IN, THEY COME OUT A LOT RICHER .
I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE CARTER'S WERE NOT A WEALTHY FAMILY AND THEY CAME OUT JUST LIKE THEY WENT IN.
THAT SAYS A LOT.
THEY DO NOT DO IT FOR THE CAMARADERIE, THE MONEY.
THEY WERE DRIVEN AND THEY WANTED TO WORK.
IT'S PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
>> IN THE WORLD.
THAT'S THE THING.
THE IMPACT OF THE WORLD.
>> THEY MADE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.
IF WE ALL LIVED WITH A LITTLE BIT OF THAT?
>> IN MIDDLE AND SOUTH GEORGIA, DO YOU THINK PEOPLE REALLY WRAP ROSALYNN CARTER, NOW AND SOON, JIMMY CARTER?
>> THEY PROBABLY DID .
AS IT MOVES FORWARD , IT'S TOUGH.
THERE'S NO QUESTION.
WE HAVE ALL KNOWN ABOUT THE HOSPICE, THE FAILING HEALTH, AND THAT SOMETHING NOBODY WANTS TO FACE.
IT'S DOWN THE ROAD FOR ALL OF US.
WE KNOW IT'S COMING, BUT YOU NEVER WANT IT TO HAPPEN.
THAT'S WORTH THAT.
>> WE TALKED ABOUT IT.
IT MADE US ALL THINK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR HEALTH.
>> WHEN YOU SEE PRESIDENT CARTER, I'VE TALKED TO SO MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THEIR OWN LIVES AND THEIR PARENTS AND AGING AND IT'S SOMETHING WE PUT OFF.
WE DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT.
HERE ARE THE CARTER'S IN PORTLAND MAKING US THINK ABOUT SOMETHING WE DIDN'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT.
>> YOU'D BE SURPRISED , THE PEOPLE HERE, IN ATLANTA TODAY, SINCE WHAT, 1976?
THEY STILL HAVE STORIES ABOUT THE CARTER'S AND PEOPLE THAT THAT, AS HE SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE, THESE PEOPLE HAVE NOTHING BUT KINDNESS AND GOOD WORDS TO SAY ABOUT THEM.
>> SO GLAD YOU CAME, TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> I LIKE THE WAY YOU TALK.
>> THE PAY IS NOT GOOD BUT IT'S FUN.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
WE APPRECIATE IT.
>>> WE APPRECIATE YOU WATCHING TONIGHT.
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO HAVE YOU WITH US ON THIS SPECIAL, REMEMBERING ROSALYNN CARTER.
>> HAVE A GREAT EVENING.
GPB Originals is a local public television program presented by GPB