Rosalynn’s Power

Her power was not only her southern charm and beauty.

Her power was not only her faithful honoring of marriage vows and devoted life as a wife.

Her power was not only her nurturing mothering and generous love of family.

Her power was not only her compassionate heart and keen listening skills.

Her power was not only her political savvy and diplomatic gifts.

Let us remember her power to break the silence about mental illness.

Let us remember her power to boldly imagine ending the stigma of mental illness in her lifetime and to use her power to make it so.

Let us remember her power to strategically advocate for accessible and affordable quality mental healthcare.

Let us remember her power to organize national and global work to train and educate others about mental health.

Let us remember her final act of power: to break the silence about her own brain illness by sharing her dementia diagnosis.

Power is many things.

Her power created a global movement for mental health justice.

May she be remembered for her power to make the world a better place.

She was more than a famous man’s wife.

She was a powerful woman of God.

Former first lady Rosalynn Carter died at age 96 on Sunday, November 19, 2023.