Rosalynn Carter, a humanitarian and former first lady of the United States, was born on August 18, 1927 in Georgia. She was an American writer and activist who served as the first lady from 1977 to 1981 as the wife of President Jimmy Carter. During her time in public service, she advocated for mental health care and was widely respected for her political acumen.

Throughout her public life, Carter devoted herself to several social causes, including programs that supported health resources, human rights, social justice, and the needs of the elderly. She played a significant role in changing the perception of mental illness and is most notably known for her work on behalf of mental health initiatives.

At the 2003 Mental Health Symposium, Carter stated that “Twenty-five years ago, we never dreamed that people could one day actually recover from mental illness. Today it is a very real possibility. For someone who has worked with mental health issues as much as I have, this is a miraculous development and an answer to my prayers.” Her dedication to promoting mental health awareness and resources has had a profound impact on society today.