Rosalynn Carter’s legacy
First Lady Rosalynn Carter 
Photo by Rick Diamond

Rosalynn Carter’s legacy

“To kindness and love, the things we need most.” —The Grinch

In the era of Jimmy Carter’s presidency, the media was accustomed to covering First Ladies on the Women’s pages of their publication. Yes, Jacqueline Kennedy was a three-year headline stealing JFK’s charismatic thunder and establishing a historically rich, renovated White House. But it was Rosalynn Carter, the Steel Magnolia from Georgia, who like Hillary and Eleanor, was a politician in her own right, loved campaigning, drove mental health policies, solo visited heads of states, was a lifelong advocate and on-the-ground champion for human rights and alleviating human suffering.

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter founded the Carter Center in 1982 and spent over 40 years actively engaged (being there, traveling the world, wielding a hammer, overseeing an election) to eradicate disease, build democratic states, resolve conflicts, and strengthen the treatment of mental health. Small and rather soft spoken, Rosalynn always walked visitors to the door — savoring that last moment to influence, position, gain an ally.

Rosalynn Carter lived a superbly useful and powerful life. She was a role model for the world. We heard far too little about this tenacious mover during Carter’s presidency and after as he with the Carter Center was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2002.

Following Rosalynn, Barbara and Laura Bush championed childhood literacy, Hillary Clinton health care, Michelle Obama childhood obesity and girl education.

More recently, Melania Trump has seemingly endured being First Lady — dragged into a position she never sought, pressed into a costume that didn’t fit. Melania’s official initiative, Be Best, was aimed at eradicating cyberbullying — increasing the “well-being “of children. Be Best was announced in the Rose Garden in May of 2018, and immediately was followed by Trump’s Presidential proclamation of Be Best Day, May 7. The effort fully reproduced an Obama-era guide developed for teenagers regarding the Internet — reprinted the guide with a new name on the cover and all the original’s typos within.

Be Best goals were outlined — not advanced. Cyberbullying was a peculiar choice for Donald Trump’s First Lady — who boarding a plane to visit immigrant children separated from their parents and held in cages at the U.S. border  wore a jacket with “I Really Don’t Care — Do You?” in bold white letters across the back. Cyberbullying? Caring?

The “Bully Pulpit” Franklin Roosevelt coined in the 1930’s as a terrific platform for Presidential advocacy of a national agenda — “bully” as in wonderful or superb — “bully” good. Mangled now, Trump’s bully pulpit is that which Melania’s Be Best initiative targets for prevention: venomous hurled words to abuse, violate, endanger others. Donald Trump endlessly bullies from his self-preservation pulpit — not a shred of decency, not a trace of innocence.

Enter please better angels, Roslynn Carters to bless the world, to champion human rights and alleviate suffering. Come soon a silencing of violent threats/abusive barbs robbing us of unity and peace.

Latest News

Troutbeck Symposium 2025: the latest chapter in continuing a vital legacy

Participating students and teachers gathered for the traditional photo at the 2025 Troutbeck Symposium on Thursday, May 1.

Leila Hawken

Students and educators from throughout the region converged at Troutbeck in Amenia for a three-day conference to present historical research projects undertaken collaboratively by students with a common focus on original research into their chosen topics. Area independent schools and public schools participated in the conference that extended from Wednesday, April 30 to Friday, May 2.

The symposium continues the Troutbeck legacy as a decades-old gathering place for pioneers in social justice and reform. Today it is a destination luxury country inn, but Troutbeck remains conscious of its significant place in history.

Keep ReadingShow less
Roaring Oaks Florist launches self-serve flower market

Terence S. Miller, owner of Roaring Oaks Florist in the new self-serve area of the shop.

Natalia Zukerman

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Roaring Oaks Florist in Lakeville has launched a new self-serve flower station next to its Main Street shop, offering high-quality, grab-and-go bouquets from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week — including Sundays when the main store is closed.

Owner Terence S. Miller, who bought the shop 24 years ago at just 20 years old, calls the new feature “a modern twist on an old-school honor system,” with some high-tech updates.

Keep ReadingShow less
Third graders enjoy classical treat at Music Mountain

A string quartet opened the Bard Conservatory of Music program for Region One third grade students at Music Mountain.

Patrick L. Sullivan

Region One third grade students attended a chamber music concert by Bard Conservatory of Music students at Music Mountain Tuesday, April 29.

After expending spare energy racing around the Music Mountain lawn, the children trooped into the concert hall and took their seats.

Keep ReadingShow less