SUMMARY
Global humanitarian, mental health advocate, champion for equal rights. These are some of the ways that former First Lady Rosalynn Carter is being remembered. Geoff Bennett discussed Carter’s legacy and many contributions with Judy Woodruff, who covered the Carter White House, and journalist and historian Jonathan Alter, whose biography of President Carter is “His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life.”
For a transcript of this story, click here.
News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM UP QUESTIONS:
- Who was Rosalynn Carter? How would you describe her based on this story and what else you might know about her?
- Where did the Carters live? Where did Rosalynn Carter pass away?
- What were some Rosalynn Carter's accomplishments?
- Why do you think Rosalynn Carter had, as Judy Woodruff and others have described, a "steel magnolia" type of personality? Do you know someone in your life like this?
- How did Rosalynn Carter affect people's understanding of mental health, including caregiving?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Why do you think so many people came to respect and admire Rosalynn Carter? What is one thing you admire about her?
Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were married nearly 77 years, the longest-married first couple in U.S. history. Were you surprised to hear how much former President Jimmy Carter relied on Rosalynn and sought her advice as a regular, key part of their relationship? How do you think her perspective may have helped guide Jimmy Carter's political career and life?
Media literacy: What key questions do you have after watching this piece? How can you find out the answers to those questions?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?
What students can do: Discuss with a friend, neighbor or classmate — What do you know about the terms "mental health" and "public health" including "caregiving"? Watch this video to learn more about Rosalynn Carter's work in the field of mental health and caregiving and answer the question: How do you think we can become a more caring society?
FOR MORE
Be sure to check out our sister website, Journalism in Action, and our interactive case study on the history mental health in America and how news reporters have covered this subject, dating back to Nellie Bly (pictured below) famed investigative reporter.
To sign up for Journalism in Action updates once a month, click here.
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