• Mrs. Carter Chairs Mental Health Hearings
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    First Lady Visit
    initiatives
    meetings
    In this photograph, First Lady Rosalynn Carter chairs a hearing on mental health on January 17, 1978. Mrs. Carter was appointed the honorary chair of the President's Commission on Mental Health by her husband, President Jimmy Carter, in 1977. During her time in the White House, Mrs. Carter dedicated her time focusing on the issues surrounding mental health, childhood immunization, and advocating for the Equal Rights Amendment, among many other initiatives.
  • Mrs. Carter Works in her East Wing Office
    Unknown
    East Wing
    staff
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    In this photograph, First Lady Rosalynn Carter works in her East Wing office on March 17, 1977. Seated at her desk, Mrs. Carter is captured alongside her personal assistant, Madeline McBean. Mrs. Carter was credited with establishing the Office of the First Lady through the passing of the White House Personnel Authorization Act of 1978. Previously, there had been no formal allocation of staff and resources to support the work of the first lady.
  • Young Jimmy Carter at his Naval Academy Graduation Ceremony
    Unknown
    military
    merits & awards
    In this photograph taken on June 5, 1946, future president Jimmy Carter has his ensign lapels pinned by Rosalynn Carter, left, then known by her maiden name Rosalynn Smith, and Lillian Carter, right, his mother, at his graduation ceremony from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Jimmy Carter would go on to serve in the Navy until 1956, when he took over his family's businesses including peanut farming. Carter served as governor of Georgia prior to his term as president, which began on January 20, 1977 and ended January 20, 1981.