Rosalynn Carter, former US first lady, dead at 96

Good evening Southeast Texas. I'm Gloria Walker. We start tonight remembering Eleanor Rosalynn Carter an American writer activist who served as the first lady of the United States from 1977 to 1981 as the wife of President Jimmy Carter She passed away at the age of 96 ABC's Karen Travers has more Rosalynn Carter devoted her life to improving the lives of others a close advisor to her husband President Jimmy Carter The first lady was a strong voice for early childhood immunization human rights and mental health No help and the problems of the elderly Those are the two things that I've been interested in for a long time The Carters have been married for over 30 years when they moved to the White House a journey that began in Plains, Georgia Where both were born Rosalynn was the oldest of four children in 1945 She began dating her best friend's brother James Earl Jimmy Carter The next year 18 year old Rosalynn married the Naval Academy graduate The Navy kept them moving their three sons were born in three different ports Their daughter Amy was born after the family resettled in Plains Rosalynn helped run the Carter family peanut business before Jimmy eventually entered politics He won two terms in the Georgia State Senate, but lost his first bid for governor when he decided to run again His soft-spoken wife took to the campaign trail. He won soon Rosalynn was back I've campaigned full-time since April of last year. I really believe he's going to be the nominee Stumping to help her husband become America's 39th president Throughout it all Rosalynn championed women children and charitable causes Hard-working and tenacious caring and compassionate. She was dubbed the steel magnolia by the White House Press Corps together with her husband She promoted peace and human rights and built houses for Habitat for Humanity Mrs. Carter authored four books including her autobiography First lady from Plains after leaving the White House Rosalynn Carter continued to travel the world with her husband Speaking out on the issues. She had championed throughout her life Karen Travers ABC News