Rosalynn Carter
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter co-founded The Carter Center and remains active in its work, particularly as a renowned and effective advocate for mental health. Throughout her decades of public service, Mrs. Carter has been a champion for the Equal Rights Amendment, caregivers, early childhood immunizations, and the peaceful resolution of conflict. Mrs. Carter’s compassion, commitment, and dedication make her a role model for women and girls around the world.
Born
Plains, Georgia, August 18, 1927
Parents
Edgar and Allie (Murray) Smith
Rosalynn Smith, age 13.
Married
July 7, 1946
Children
John William, 1947; James Earl III, 1950; Donnel Jeffrey, 1952; Amy Lynn, 1967
Religion
Baptist
Politics
Democrat
Home Address
Plains, Georgia
Academic
Graduated Georgia Southwestern College, 1946
H.H.D. (Honorary) Tift College, 1979
L.H.D. (Honorary) Morehouse College, 1980
D.P.S. (Honorary) Wesleyan College, 1986
LL.D. (Honorary) University of Notre Dame, 1987
D.Litt. (Honorary) Emory University, 1991
Rosalynn Carter in Nasarawa, Nigeria, in 2007.
Professional
Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, The Carter Center, 1986 –
Chair, Carter Center Mental Health Task Force, 1991 –
President, Board of Directors, Rosalynn Carter Institute of Georgia Southwestern State University, 1988 –
President and Co-Founder, EVERY CHILD BY TWO Campaign for Early Immunization, 1991 –
Chair, International Women Leaders for Mental Health, World Federation for Mental Health, 1992 –
Distinguished Fellow, Emory University Institute for Women’s Studies, 1990 –
Board of Directors, The Friendship Force, 1981 –
Board of Advisors, Habitat for Humanity, 1984 –
Board of Trustees, The Mennniger Foundation 1986 –
Honorary Chair, Lact Acts: Care and Caring at the End of Life, 1996 –
Honorary Chair, Project Interconnections, 1987 –
Honorary Fellow, American Psychiatric Association
Past Professional
Member, Georgia Governor’s Commission to Improve Services for the Mentally and Emotionally Handicapped, 1971
Honorary Chairperson, Georgia Special Olympics, 1971 – 75
Active Honory Chair, President’s Commission on Mental Health, 1977 – 78
Honorary Chair Board of Trustees, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,
1977 – 80
Board Member Emeritus, National Mental Health Association
Distinguished Centennial Lecturer, Agnes Scott College, 1988 – 1992
Board of Directors, Gannett Company, Inc., 1983 – 1997
Policy Advisory Board, The Atlanta Project (TAP), 1991 – 1999
On July 10, 2007, Rosalynn Carter testified before a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee in favor of mental health parity.
Awards/Honors
Volunteer of the Year Award, Southeastern Association of Volunteer Services, 1976
Award of Merit for Support of the Equal Rights Amendment, National Organization for Women, 1976
Humanitarian Award, Save the Refugees Fund, 1980
Volunteer of the Decade Award, National Mental Health Association, 1980
Presidential Citation, American Psychological Association, 1982
Nathan S. Kline Medal of merit, International Committe Against Mental Illness, 1984
Leadership Award, Georgia Friends of the Mentally Ill, 1985
Distinguished Service Award, National Association of Secondary School Principals, 1985
Distinguished Alumus Award, American Association of State Colleges & Universities, 1987
Dorothea Dix Award, Mental Illness Foundation, 1988
Centennial Award of Distinction, Agnes Scott College, 1989
Camille Cosby World of Children Award, Judge Baker Children’s Center, Boston, 1991
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Dean’s Award, 1991
Notre Dame Award for International Humanitarian Service, 1992
Eleanor Roosevelt Living World Award, Peace Links, 1992
Howard Safar Memorial Award for Distinguished Naitonal Service, National Council of Community Mental Health Centers, 1993
Lifetime Achievement Award, Foundation for Hospice and Homecare, 1993
Kiwanis World Service Medal, Kiwanis International Foundation, 1995
National Caring Award, The Caring Institute, 1995
Georgia Woman of the Year Award, 1996
Jefferson Award, American Institute for Public Service, 1996
“Into the Light” Award, National Mental Health Association, 1997
United Nations Children’s Fund Internation Child Survival Award, 1999
Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1999
Books Published
View full list of books
Business Address
The Carter Center, One Copenhill, 453 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30307
Official White House Biography
Rosalynn Smith Carter
Jimmy Carter 