Honoring President Jimmy Carter

James Earl Carter, Junior, better known as Jimmy Carter, was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, to the framer and businessman James Earl Carter, Sr., and his mother, Lillian Gordy Carter, a registered nurse. Jimmy had a local upbringing. His family lived in a small town on a farm in a house with no running water or electricity.

Jimmy began his act of service early in his life. After graduating as valedictorian of his small-town high school, he attended the Georgia Institute of Technology before transferring to the United States Naval Academy. During this time, Jimmy fell in love with Rosalynn Carter, his sister’s childhood friend. Their families were close friends and neighbors. They were acquainted when she was a newborn and Jimmy was three years old.

Jimmy and Rosalynn had their first date at the movies one year before he graduated from the Naval Academy. He proposed to her that same year, but she initially rejected him because she wanted to further her education. Jimmy proposed again, and she accepted. After graduating from the Naval Academy, he married her on July 7, 1946. Jimmy would go to serve two years on surface ship duty, when he then applied for submarine duty as an executive officer, he developed an interest in nuclear power submarines and became a part of Captain Hyman Rickover’s program. In July 1953, following his father’s death, Jimmy returned home to manage family affairs.

After Jimmy came home, he became more involved in his community. He was involved in local boards and due to his interest in education, became on the Sumter County Board of Education. He eventually advanced to the position of Georgia state senator, serving two terms from 1962 to 1966. In 1971, he was elected as the 76^th governor of Georgia. Three years later Carter announced his campaign for presidency. And two years later he won the presidential election against Gerald Ford.

After his presidency, Jimmy Carter and his family continued lending a hand to helping those in need. They volunteered with a nonprofit organization that focused on building and renovating facilities across the United States and overseas. Statistics show, he played a key role in mediating conflicts worldwide, including in North Korea (1994), Liberia (1994), Haiti (1994), Bosnia (1994), Sudan (1995), and the Great Lakes region of Africa (1995-96), etc. Furthermore, he served as an educator at Emory University.

DBHS senior Xander Christy said, “Jimmy Carter was the 39^th President and he heavily focused on human rights and peace.”

In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for his extensive efforts. He passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100

Written by Widelandine Emilcar  | Graphic Designed by Widelandine Emilcar 

Published Janaury 13, 2025 | ePathfinder | Feature