As he celebrates his 100th birthday, it is appropriate to recognize President Jimmy Carter for the advances made towards the pursuit of equality and justice for women on the global stage during his presidency and post-presidency.
As president, Jimmy Carter appointed more women and minority judges to the Federal bench than all of his predecessors combined. While he did not have the opportunity to appoint a Supreme Court Justice, he did appoint Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia which perfectly positioned her for a SCOTUS appointment by Bill Clinton in 1993.
During his tenure, President Carter and the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter supported ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, including signing a law which extended the timeline for ratification.
“Strong action is needed to guarantee women total equality in the areas of politics and government, education, employment and related benefits, health care, housing and justice,” read his 1977 proclamation for Women’s Equality Day. “The needs, hopes and problems of a complex society demand the talents, imagination and dedication of all its citizens without regard to sex. As women achieve equality, men, too, are liberated from ancient prejudices and relieved of arbitrary barriers to personal fulfillment.”
A book he wrote in 2014, A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power, called out religious institutions for complicity in perpetuating violence against women. “This is not just a women’s issue, it affects us all,” he said.
Even as we celebrate the presidency and 100th birthday for President Jimmy Carter, women are poised to make “herstory” on November 5 by electing Vice President Kamala Harris as the first woman to serve as President of the United States. In fact, members of the Carter family have said former President Carter “looks forward” to casting his vote for Vice President Harris as soon as it is possible to do so.
Based on the strategy “A Rising Blue Tide Lifts ALL Boats,” a record setting 77 Georgia WIN List candidates are on the ballot in November to knock on doors for their own campaigns and to improve Democratic performance in 81 of Georgia’s 159 counties.
During the past 24 years, Georgia WIN List has helped elect more than 90 women, 49 of whom currently serve. Please show your generous support for our efforts to Change the Face of Power in Georgia and at the White House by electing even more pro-choice Democratic women with your generous gift today. Electing women in record setting numbers requires raising money in record setting sums!
