November 19, 2023, was the day our nation lost a role model. Most people remember Rosalynn Carter as the former First Lady to Jimmy Carter; however, she was more than just her title. Rosalynn Carter accomplished so much in her life that needs to be appreciated. Eleanor Rosalynn Smith was born on August 18, 1927, in Plains, Georgia, a very small city with a population similar to Park Ridge, Wisconsin. Rosalynn was the oldest of four children from Frances Allethea Murray Smith, a teacher and dressmaker, and Edgar Smith, a farmer and auto mechanic. Her parents were the kind who made sure all of their children had a strong voice and knew the importance of education. She was a quiet and reserved girl when she was young, however, that changed as she grew older. 

Rosalynn graduated from Plains High School at the top of her class before attending the University of Georgia Southwestern College in 1945. During her freshman year at GSC, Rosalynn established three different clubs and used her voice for what she believed was right and wrong. Shortly after, Rosalynn met Jimmy Carter and that changed the trajectory of her life. As a beloved First Lady, Rosalynn Carter worked for many years in an effort to improve the quality of life for communities in the United States and around the globe. She was a pioneer for mental health awareness, human rights, equality, conflict resolution, health, and education. Rosalynn established the Carter Center, a private institution along with her husband, President Jimmy Carter, in 1982 to create solutions to the issues communities face throughout the globe. Rosalynn understood the importance of providing aid to different organizations and also truly being present, vocal, and visible in the issues that were being addressed in her time. 

Rosalynn Carter will always be remembered for her reserved yet strong personality and the differences she made in communities across the globe. It is important we continue the efforts of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and strive as she did to advance the causes of human rights, solutions to mental health, and equality for all.