Rosalynn Smith Carter

Rosalynn and Humdinger Date Nut Rolls

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First Ladies - 1900 to 2000

Rosalynn Smith Carter*

President James Carter, Jr.*

Amy, Jimmy, and Rosalynn Carter*

First Lady Rosalynn and President Jimmy Carter
First Lady - 1977-1981
Quote from Rosalynn - “Do what you can to show you care about other people, and you will make our world a better place.”
​Factoids - The White House Personnel Authorization Act allowed a budget for staff and allowing for staff and resources to establish the Office of the First lady. 
Bio - 

• Eleanor Rosalynn Smith was born in Plains, Georgia, helping her mother after her father died when she was thirteen.  Rosalynn graduated as valedictorian of her high school and then graduated from college.  She met Jimmy Carter, the older brother of her childhood friend and began dating him during her last years of college and his time at the Naval Academy.  They were married and moved to Virginia, then wherever his Naval career took them and their four children.
• When Jimmy’s father died, they returned to Georgia for Rosalynn to run the family peanut farm and for Jimmy to begin a political career as Senator and then Governor of Georgia.
• As Georgia's First Lady, Rosalynn began her advocacy for mental health, which she would continue once in the White House.  She readily supported Jimmy's bid for the Presidency, campaigning across the country for him.  During the campaign Rosalynn became the first candidate's wife to make a campaign promise - she promised to reform mental health legislation.  
• After Jimmy's win, Rosalynn, as First Lady, was instrumental in the passage of the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980.  She attended cabinet meetings and testified before Congress to support the Act.
• Although Rosalynn, as First Lady, was a popular hostess for White House events, she was an important proponent of social causes, including  supporting the Equal Rights Amendment.  On an international scale, Rosalynn traveled to Central and South America for policy discussions with leaders of several countries.   
  
• After the Carters left the White house, they founded The Carter Center, a nonprofit dedicated to human rights and freedom of democracy.  Rosalynn and Jimmy became famous for their work for Habitat for Humanity, building homes for those in need. In 1999, Rosalynn received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

About Jimmy - Jimmy Carter, as the 39th President, emphasized human rights and brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel. Domestically, however, he struggled with inflation, energy shortages, and the Iran hostage crisis. Though deeply principled, his leadership style was marred with these domestic issues.

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Humdinger Date Nut Rolls

These date nut rolls, known as "humdingers," were shared by the U.S. National Archives. At the top of the typed page, were the words "a favorite recipe of Rosalynn Carter." The U.S. National Archives has compiled some of Rosalynn's favorite recipes from her White House days.  In the official White House records, these were known as "Humdingers."

​Ingredients
1/2 cup salted butter or margarine
1 (8 ounce) package pitted dates, chopped 
1 cup chopped nuts 
1 cup granulated sugar
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 & 1/2 cups crisp rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies)
powdered sugar, for rolling
Steps

1. ​In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat.
2. Add dates, nuts, sugar, and salt. Cook 8 minutes over low heat, stirring often, until sugar is dissolved, butter is absorbed, and mixture forms a thick, glossy paste.
3. Remove from heat; add vanilla and cereal and stir until combined. Let cool until cool enough to handle.
4. Shape into walnut-sized balls or finger-sized rolls. Roll in powdered sugar until coated. ​

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Portrait Credits*
Rosalynn Carter - Rosalyn white dress portrait - National Archives and Records Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Amy, Jimmy, and Rosalynn in NYC at Democratic National Convention - Photographer Warren K. Leffler, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Jimmy Carter - Ansel Adams, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of James Earl Carter, Jr., Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons