Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter Passes Away at 100
Post
Subscribe
President Jimmy Carter
From the peanut fields of Plains, Georgia, to the grand corridors of the White House and the distinguished Oslo City Hall, Jimmy Carter's life journey is a profound testament to the power of dedication, faith, and resilience. His roots were firmly planted in the small town of Plains, where he was raised in a community that valued hard work and simple pleasures.
Jimmy's formative years were spent in the red-clay fields of his family 2019s farm, where his robust work ethic was nurtured under the hot Southern sun among the peanut plants that symbolized his ascent to the presidency. As a young man, Jimmy was colour-blind in a society rife with prejudice, valuing work over skin colour, which later enabled him to make significant impacts as Governor of Georgia by navigating and challenging these societal biases.
After graduating from the Naval Academy in just three years, Jimmy married his beloved Rosalynn Smith, knowing after just one date she was the one he wanted to spend his life with. Their partnership, spanning over seven decades until Rosalynn's passing in 2023, was not just a marital union but a profound collaboration in every endeavour they undertook.
Jimmy's naval career, marked by his hands-on management of a nuclear meltdown as a lieutenant, was cut short due to his father's death. Returning to Georgia, he took over the family business, transforming it into a successful enterprise with the indispensable business acumen of Rosalynn.
His political ascent began at the state level, where he served as a progressive senator and later as Governor of Georgia, advocating for civil rights and government reform. In 1976, amid the national disillusionment following the Watergate scandal, Carter's presidential campaign, though marked by opposition under the slogan "Anyone But Carter," was a breath of fresh air that led him to the White House.
As President, Carter brokered the historic Camp David Accords, bringing peace between Israel and Egypt, and spearheaded the Panama Canal treaties, transferring control from the U.S. to Panama. He emphasized energy conservation, pushed for comprehensive healthcare reform, and maintained a presidency free from war, reflecting his deep commitment to peace and human rights. I was too young to know much about the Iran Hostage Crisis but understand that his refusal to take aggressive military action may have cost him re-election. He always referred to losing re-election as "involuntary retirement."
The Carter Center Atlanta, Georgia
After his presidency, Carter's role as a global humanitarian took shape with the establishment of The Carter Center alongside Rosalynn in 1982. With a mission to "Wage Peace, Fight Disease, Build Hope," they led efforts to eradicate Guinea worm disease, monitored global elections to uphold democracy, and promoted mental health care and conflict resolution.
President and Mrs. Carter Crested Butte Colorado 1999
I was introduced to The Carter Center in 1999, beginning a transformative journey alongside my family. At the Center's Executive Briefing, President and Mrs. Carter personally invited me to join their "Winter Weekend," an event uniting people from all walks of life. This experience inspired my young daughter, whom President Carter later recognized as the Young Philanthropist and Young Humanitarian during her high school career, to pursue a career in international development and political science, shaping her path through the values of service and humility she learned at home and from the Carters.
During one of the "Winter Weekend" Town Halls, we learned a poignant detail about President Carter's journey toward the Nobel Peace Prize. Initially, his name had been omitted from the Nobel Peace Prize application when Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat were honoured for their efforts to forge peace in the Middle East. This oversight highlighted the often-overlooked role he played in facilitating these historic accords. It was, therefore, profoundly meaningful when he later received the Prize at Oslo City Hall, not just for a single act of peace but for his lifelong dedication to the cause across the globe. This recognition was a testament to the breadth and depth of his commitment to making the world a safer, more harmonious place.
President Carter Skiing Crested Butte Colorado Photo Tom Stillo
Whether it was square dancing in Plains, attending Jimmy's Sunday school lectures, or fighting to eradicate Guinea worm disease, the Carters' genuine commitment to bettering humanity continued to inspire us. Now, with Jason Carter at the helm, The Carter Center remains a beacon of the humble, sincere ethos his grandparents championed.
Jimmy Carter's life, marked by both pride and humility, was a lesson in living a life aligned with one's faith, family, and humanitarian principles, no matter the personal cost. His legacy is not only in the global policies and humanitarian efforts he championed but in the personal stories of those like my family, whose lives he profoundly touched.
President Carter Cortege Washington DC Jan 8 2024 Photo Courtesy of Joanne May
As we remember President Carter, we celebrate a life that inspired us to fight disease, wage peace, and build hope. While he will be dearly missed, we find comfort in knowing he is reunited with his beloved Rosalynn, continuing their journey together.
%wneverywhere
#random 300870 - 2025-01-09 02:02:35