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Remembering First Lady Rosalynn Carter

Gallery

  • This photograph of First Lady Rosalynn Carter at a podium in the East Room was taken during Jimmy Carter's administration, between 1977 and 1981. President Carter appears on her right.

    Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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  • In this photograph taken on January 20, 1977, President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter walk down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House after the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol.

    Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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  • This photograph of First Lady Rosalynn Carter meeting staff at the National Geographic Society (NGS) was taken on July 10, 1978, by Steve Raymer of the National Geographic Service. Mrs. Carter went to NGS to review mock ups of the sixth edition of "The Living White House," a publication put out by NGS and the White House Historical Association that explores how first families used and changed the executive mansion over time.

    Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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  • This photograph of a tree planting ceremony on the White House North Lawn was taken by Bill Fitz-Patrick in November 1977. While First Lady Rosalynn Carter looked on, President Jimmy Carter planted a red maple from his home state of Georgia, taking part in a longstanding tradition of tree planting by presidents.

    Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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  • This photograph of First Lady Rosalynn Carter greeting a White House tour in the Blue Room was taken by Steve Raymer and Larry D. Kinney of the National Geographic Service in August 1978. The first lady often made surprise appearances during tours.

    White House Historical Association

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  • This photograph of First Lady Rosalynn Carter on the South Lawn of the White House was taken by Bill Allen in 1978. She appears with the family dog, Grits, and one of her grandchildren.

    White House Historical Association

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  • In this photograph First Lady Rosalynn Carter and her daughter Amy meet with Purdue Pete and the National Turkey Foundation during a pardoning ceremony at the North Portico on November 21, 1978. Presidents and their families have received turkeys for the holidays as far back as the 1870s. However, the origin of the turkey pardon is said to have started with President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, after he offered a clemency to a turkey purchased for Christmas dinner at his son's request. The pardoning of a Thanksgiving turkey became a formalized tradition during the Ronald Reagan administration.

    Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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  • In this photograph, First Lady Rosalynn Carter and her daughter Amy host young trick-or-treaters for UNICEF on October 26, 1977. The group is gathered in the Entrance Hall of the White House, near the Grand Staircase.

    Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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  • This photograph of First Lady Rosalynn Carter listening to her daughter Amy practice the violin in the Center Hall of the Second Floor residence in the White House was taken by Harry Benson.

    Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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  • This photograph of First Lady Rosalynn Carter and Second Lady Joan Mondale, wife of Vice President Walter Mondale, in the White House Solarium was taken by Steve Raymer in August 1978.Raymer was a photographer for the National Geographic Service.

    Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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  • This oil on canvas portrait of First Lady Rosalynn Carter was painted by American artist George Augusta in 1984, a few years after the end of Jimmy Carter's administration. Mrs. Carter was an active first lady, who sat in on cabinet meetings, campaigned for the Equal Rights Amendment, and was an advocate for mental health care reform. Her husband was president from January 20, 1977 until January 20, 1981.

    White House Collection/White House Historical Association

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About this Gallery

The White House Historical Association joins the nation in remembrance of First Lady Rosalynn Carter. Mrs. Carter maintained an active role in the White House, attending cabinet meetings and briefings, representing her husband at ceremonial occasions, and serving as the president's personal emissary to Latin-American countries. She also created the Office of the First Lady in 1977, which has since served as the workplace for the initiatives the first lady and her staff pursue. During her time in the White House Mrs. Carter worked with the White House Historical Association to expand the White House’s collection of paintings.

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