Features
Rosalynn Carter – gracious steel magnolia
My title equates Rosalynn Carter, ex-First Lady of the US, to a gracious steel magnolia since the last two words in the title are often used with the elegantly dressed and perfectly groomed, stiff Southern ladies, white of course. She was not a fashion devotee, nor very elegantly elite either. How she came across was as a very personable woman of simplicity, sincerity and worth.
When Jimmy Carter was 39th President of the US, just two following the flamboyant John F Kennedy, his mythical Camelot and raved-over wife; the Carters were treated casually. A few recognized their true worth. However, an article I read recently acknowledges that he was one of the best Presidents in recent times.
Rosalynn remained in the near background but her influence over the President and being a wind beneath his wings was acknowledged. She was far less elegant and noticed, photographed and written about than Jackie Kennedy but, mostly with hind sight, Rosalynn is considered the better First Lady with more concrete good qualities than Jackie who later married the wealthy ship owning Aristotle Onassis.
It was reported that he had to sign a long list of dos and don’ts in a prenuptial agreement, one of which was to sever all connection with his former lover, Maria Callas.
Written about Ms. Carter while resident in the White House are these facts: “Rosalynn Carter was the most astute and active of all America’s First Ladies. She redefined the role.” She did not refurbish the White House nor attempted to leave her mark on it. Her entertainment was low key since both she and the Prez sided with simplicity and concern for money and acted thus even with government funds.
She did not serve hard liquor, thus sticking to principles against the ‘done thing’; not fearing negative comments. Jimmy Carter often pointed out that his wife’s first name was Eleanor, meaning she was as significant a First Lady as Eleanor Roosevelt. Many Americans agreed that Rosalynn was one of the most consistent and concerned First Ladies.
Life
Rosalynn was born on August 18, 1927, in Plains, Georgia to a mechanic cum farmer and his stay-at-home wife, the eldest of four children. The father died when Rosalynn was 13 and thus extra responsibilities fell on her. She commented her childhood ended then. Mrs Lilian Carter, Jimmy’s mother, was present and helped in her birth. Rosalynn attended public schools in Plains and was best friend to one of Jimmy’s sisters. It as she, the sister, who brought them together.
When they were teens the sister arranged a double date for herself and her boyfriend inviting Rosalyn to come along; her Navy brother joining them. Rosalynn admitted she fell in love with the photograph her friend had of Jimmy in naval uniform. But his courtship was not plain sailing, he said. He also said no significant moment in his life – winning politically or receiving the Nobel Prize – gladdened and exhilarated him as much as when Rosalynn consented to marry him. They married in 1946 and had four children, Amy being the eldest, with three brothers following.
She first lived the carefree life of a sailor’s wife, and as she said, away from her mother and his. But when Carter Snr died, Jimmy felt he had to return to Plains to straighten up matters in their peanut business. Rosalyn did not like the change but of course agreed and then found she had to manage most of the farm running as Jimmy went into politics. He won a Senate seat in the state government of Georgia in 1962. There was no looking back until he (surprisingly to many) won the presidency 15 years later.
Throughout her decades of public service, she was perhaps best known for being a leading advocate for women’s rights and mental health. She is listed as an activist and writer having authored several books. She was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2001. When Jimmy was not voted in for a second term, Rosalynn is supposed to have dreaded going back to Plains. They built themselves a simple home in Plains but continued living in Atlanta where, in collaboration with Emory University, they established the Carter Centre. They also were very active founder members of Habitat for Humanity and travelled around the world, mostly in Africa, building houses for the disadvantaged.
Then with age and illnesses catching up they moved to their home in Plains. Jimmy was the first to need care and moved to a hospice near their home nine months ago. Rosalynn, who also suffered walking disability died on November 26 at age 96 after 77 years of a devoted, closely companionable marriage. It is feared that Jimmy at 99 will not be able to take the separation, so dependent was he on her. In a brief statement released by the Carter Center, the former President said of his wife “My equal partner in everything I ever accomplished. She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”
Rick Rojas’s article in the New York Times is titled: “The Carters’ hometown mourns for the Love of a Lifetime” He writes: “Their marriage was admired for its endurance – 77 years – and for the affection between the two people in it. As a couple, they shared incredible triumphs, including political victories that took them to the governor’s mansion in Atlanta and then to the White House. After leaving Washington in the early 1980s, they travelled the world and were celebrated for their achievements, including her advocacy on mental health issues and caregivers.”
Personal tribute
Thousands of miles away, but some of us watch closely foreign prominent persons’ lives. To me from the very beginning of the Carters’ time in the White House, I admired them both. American admiration was difficult to win by these two who came simple and even unsophisticated from a Southern State, happy to treat the African Americans equally. Carter admits he spent more time with a black woman on their farm than with his mother who was a busy do-gooder.
My son studied and then got employed in Atlanta, so holidays for me were frequent in this huge city, home to Margaret Mitchell and carrying memorabilia of that admired book and enjoyed film: Gone with the Wind. I used to love spending time in the Carter Center. On one holiday, in 2008, my son comes along with the plan we spend the weekend in Plains – Carter land.
We stayed in a quaint inn and visited the Carter Farm and other sites. The highlight of the weekend was attending Sunday School conducted by Jimmy Carter in the Maranatha Baptist Church. You have to obtain a seat online. At the church the procedure followed was detailed plus how we were to conduct ourselves. After the service, we were told, a cameraman would take pictures of visitors with the couple. We were not to even thank the couple, in consideration of the time they would have to stand being photographed.
It was joyful seeing the ex Prez and Rosalynn, she in a bright blue skirt and jacket combination, looking very much the composed woman of grace. They exuded almost palpably goodness of heart, concern for others and simplicity. Visitors were given the middle section of the church and Carter started the proceedings by asking which state the visitors were from. We had been instructed to raise our hands if we wished to respond to a question of his. Prompted by those seated nearby (but embarrassing to my son, I presumed) I raised my hand and when acknowledged by Carter, said: “From outside the US, Sri Lanka.” His comment: “A beautiful island now suffering a terrible war. We pray for your country.”
At the photographing when my son stood beside Rosalynn and I next to the ex Prez he broke the rule of no talking. “You are from Sri Lanka. We wish you will soon have peace, and prosperity will return to your lovely land.” The framed photograph near my work desk reminds me of the very happy meeting and being spoken to by an American President and exchanging warm smiles with a most gracious First Lady.
We mourn her death.