Celebrating 100 Years of Jimmy Carter

Stepping Back in Time

Looking back on Carter’s life and legacy, it all began on a peanut farm in Georgia where his parents, Earl and Lillian, fostered the savvy art of running a business and the skills needed to build a rapport with others at a very young age. By the age of ten, Carter was loading up a wagon full of produce and heading into town to sell it. Due to his quiet wits and determination, he learned the value of money and how to save and spend wisely, eventually leading him to buy five houses to rent out during the Great Depression, all at the age of thirteen.

According to a Biography on Jimmy Carter’s marriage and 77-year love story, in 1946, Carter graduated from the United States Naval Academy and was quickly recognized for his superior service, being raised to rank as lieutenant. There, he got reacquainted with a childhood friend, Rosalynn, who later became his wife. From that point, the couple moved around due to military assignments. Yet, while raising four children and living the American dream, they eventually landed back in their hometown of Plains, Georgia, after the death of Carter’s father and a swift need to tend to the peanut farm. Once settled in Georgia, they became active in their community and church.

In 1962, the involvement and investment in their community led Carter to become interested in seeking political goals, landing him a seat in the Georgia State Senate. While he lost his run for Congress, he set his eyes on something bigger and decided to run for governor and win!

This gave Jimmy and Rosalynn the excitement to go all in and really try to tip the scales in their favor. Leaning on their community and faith, they took to the campaign trails and sought to win the distinguished title of Commander and Chief, with their hearts set on taking residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Their vigor and tenacity paid off, and Carter won in 1976, becoming the 39th president of the United States, placing him in the Oval Office from January 20, 1977 to January 20, 1981.

Notable Achievements

While Carter sought re-election for a second term, amid his defeat, he and his wife decided to return home and focus their efforts elsewhere. By working with Habitat for Humanity, they built over 4,000 homes, and Jimmy Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his decades of hard work and diligence. Carter also wrote 32 books, mostly centered around championing human rights and democracy.

During his presidency, according to whithouehitory.org, “Carter worked to combat the continuing economic woes of inflation and unemployment. By the end of his administration, he could claim an increase of nearly eight million jobs and a decrease in the budget deficit, measured in percentage of the gross national product.”

“He prompted government efficiency through civil service reform and demanded deregulation of the trucking and airline industries. His expansion of the national park system included protection of 103 million acres of Alaskan lands. He created the Department of Education and Department of Energy. He also appointed record numbers of women, African Americans, and Hispanics to federal positions.”

Jimmy Carter continues to reside in Georgia, in the modest house that he and Rosalynn occupied since 1961. After saying goodbye to his sweetheart last November, Carter still manages to stay busy and involved in politics by traveling to negotiate peace offerings and helping with elections.

“Earlier in my life, I thought the things that mattered were the things that you could see, like your car, your house, your wealth, your property, your office. But as I’ve grown older I’ve become convinced that the things that matter most are the things that you can’t see—the love you share with others, your inner purpose, your comfort with who you are.” Jimmy Carter

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Scott Cunningham/Stringer

Alicia Searl is a devotional author, blogger, and speaker that is passionate about pouring out her heart and pointing ladies of all ages back to Jesus. She has an education background and master’s in literacy.  Her favorite people call her Mom, which is why much of her time is spent cheering them on at a softball game or dance class. She is married to her heartthrob (a tall, spiky-haired blond) who can whip up a mean latte. She sips that goodness while writing her heart on a page while her puppy licks her feet. Visit her website at aliciasearl.com and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.