Growing Up in Plains
In a small town called Plains, Georgia, there lived a young boy named Jimmy Carter. The year was 1924, and life was very different than it is today. Jimmy's house didn't have electricity or running water, but it had something special – lots of love and hard work!
Little Jimmy woke up every morning when the rooster crowed. The sun would peek through his window, and he knew it was time to help on the family farm. His daddy, Earl Carter, grew cotton and peanuts. His mama, Lillian, was a nurse who helped sick people in their community.
Life on the Farm
"Jimmy, time to feed the chickens!" his mama would call out. Young Jimmy loved taking care of the animals. He had special names for all of them, especially his favorite pig named Spot.
The Carter family farm wasn't just any farm – it was like a tiny village! They grew:
• Cotton that felt soft like clouds
• Peanuts that grew underground like treasure
• Corn that grew taller than Jimmy himself
• Sweet potatoes that tasted like candy when cooked
“We didn’t have much money,” Jimmy later remembered, “but we had plenty of food from our farm and lots of love in our family.”
Learning Important Lessons
Even though he was young, Jimmy learned big lessons on that farm. His daddy taught him that hard work makes dreams come true. His mama showed him how to be kind to everyone, no matter who they were.
Jimmy had a special friend named A.D. Davis, who was the son of a Black farmer. They played together and worked together, even though many people back then didn't think that was okay. Jimmy learned early that everyone deserves respect and kindness.
Dreams Beyond the Farm
Young Jimmy loved to read books about faraway places. Sometimes, after his chores were done, he would climb up his favorite tree and imagine what it would be like to travel the world. His teacher, Miss Julia Coleman, told him he could be anything he wanted to be.
One day, while sitting on his front porch, Jimmy told his mama, "I want to do something big to help people when I grow up."
His mama smiled and said, "Jimmy, you've got a good heart. Just remember where you came from, and always try to do what's right."
Community Spirit
In Plains, everybody helped everybody else. When farmer Brown's tractor broke down, Jimmy's daddy would help fix it. When Mrs. Johnson got sick, Jimmy's mama would take her soup. Young Jimmy watched and learned that being part of a community meant taking care of each other.
Every Sunday, the Carter family went to church. Jimmy learned about being honest and helping others. These lessons stayed with him his whole life. He made a promise to himself that no matter what he did when he grew up, he would always remember the good things he learned in Plains.
Little did anyone know that this farm boy from Plains would grow up to do amazing things. His roots in this small Georgia town, working on the farm, and learning from his family would shape him into someone very special indeed.
The hot Georgia sun set over the peanut fields each evening, and young Jimmy would look up at the stars, dreaming of all the possibilities that lay ahead. But that's just the beginning of his story…
Naval Adventures and New Beginnings
The farm boy from Plains was growing up! Jimmy Carter headed off to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It was a big change from life on the peanut farm. Instead of feeding chickens, he was now learning to sail ships!
Life at the Naval Academy
Every morning, Jimmy woke up early – just like on the farm. But now he wore a neat white uniform instead of overalls. He studied hard subjects like:
• Math for navigation
• Ship engineering
• Military leadership
• Ocean science
• Naval history
Meeting His Special Someone
One summer day, Jimmy went home to Plains for a visit. That’s when he saw Rosalynn Smith, his sister’s friend. She had pretty blue eyes and a kind smile.
“Would you like to go to the movies?” Jimmy asked Rosalynn.
“Yes, I’d love to!” she replied with a bright smile.
They fell in love quickly. Jimmy knew Rosalynn was special because she was smart, brave, and cared about helping others – just like him!
Life Under the Sea
After graduating, Jimmy became a submarine officer. Submarines are like underwater boats that can stay under the ocean for weeks! He worked hard and became very good at his job.
“Living on a submarine taught me how important it is for people to work together and trust each other,” Jimmy said later.
Starting a Family
Jimmy and Rosalynn got married in 1946. They wore their best clothes, and the whole town of Plains came to celebrate! Soon they had three little boys – Jack, Chip, and Jeff. Later, they had a girl named Amy.
Life in the Navy meant moving to different places. Their children were born in different states! But no matter where they lived, Jimmy and Rosalynn made sure their home was filled with love and laughter.
A Big Decision
One day, Jimmy got sad news. His father was very sick. Jimmy had to make a hard choice – stay in the Navy or go home to help with the family farm.
“What should we do?” he asked Rosalynn.
“We’ll do it together,” she said, squeezing his hand. “Whatever you decide.”
Jimmy decided to leave the Navy and move back to Plains. It wasn’t easy saying goodbye to his submarine friends, but he knew his family needed him.
Back to the Farm
When Jimmy and Rosalynn returned to Plains, things were different. The peanut farm needed lots of work. But Jimmy used what he learned in the Navy – like being organized and solving problems – to make the farm better than ever!
Even though he wasn’t in the Navy anymore, Jimmy kept helping people. He joined local groups that made Plains a better place to live. Rosalynn helped too, making sure everyone in town felt cared for.
The lessons Jimmy learned in the Navy – about leadership, hard work, and caring for others – would help him do even bigger things. But for now, he was happy being back home, working with Rosalynn, raising their children, and making their community stronger.
As the sun set over the peanut fields each evening, Jimmy and Rosalynn would sit on their porch, watching their children play. They didn’t know it yet, but their biggest adventures were still to come…
Growing Dreams in Georgia Soil
Back in Plains, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter rolled up their sleeves. The peanut farm needed lots of work! But they had big dreams for their family and community.
Making the Farm Better
Jimmy used his Navy skills to make the farm grow. He made charts to track the peanuts and kept everything super organized. The farm got bigger and better!
Helping Everyone
But Jimmy saw that some people in Plains needed help. Some kids couldn’t go to good schools. Some families didn’t have enough food.
“We should help make things better,” Jimmy said to Rosalynn.
“You’re right,” she agreed. “Everyone deserves a fair chance.”
They joined groups that helped make Plains a better place. Jimmy became part of the school board to help all kids get a good education.
Standing Up for What’s Right
In the 1950s and 1960s, some people were treated unfairly because of their skin color. Jimmy knew this was wrong.
“God made all people equal,” Jimmy would say. “We must treat everyone with respect.”
Even when some people got mad at him, Jimmy kept standing up for what was right. He believed everyone should be able to:
• Vote in elections
• Go to good schools
• Work at good jobs
• Live where they want
• Be treated fairly
First Steps into Politics
People in Plains started to notice how Jimmy helped others. They asked him to run for a spot on the Georgia Senate. ️
“I’ve never been in politics before,” Jimmy told Rosalynn.
“But you know how to work hard and help people,” she said. “That’s what matters!”
Jimmy and Rosalynn worked together to meet everyone in their area. They went door to door, talking to people about their ideas.
A Family Effort
The whole Carter family helped! Their kids handed out flyers. Rosalynn gave speeches. Even Jimmy’s mother, Miss Lillian, talked to her friends about voting for Jimmy.
Victory and New Beginnings
When the votes were counted, Jimmy won! He became a Georgia State Senator. Now he could help even more people.
In the Senate, Jimmy worked hard to:
✨ Make schools better
✨ Help farmers
✨ Protect the environment
✨ Make sure everyone was treated fairly
Dreams Getting Bigger
Jimmy was good at being a senator. People liked how he listened to them and worked hard to solve problems.
One night, sitting on their porch, Rosalynn asked, “What’s next, Jimmy?”
He smiled and looked at the stars. “Maybe we can do even more to help people,” he said. “Maybe we can help all of Georgia!”
Jimmy and Rosalynn didn’t know it yet, but their journey was just beginning. Their dream of helping others would take them far beyond the peanut fields of Plains…
From Georgia to the Nation’s Heart
Jimmy Carter’s dream of helping more people grew bigger and bigger. He wanted to make life better for everyone in Georgia.
Running for Governor
“I want to be the Governor of Georgia,” Jimmy told his family one evening.
Rosalynn smiled. “It will be hard work, but we can do it together!”
A New Governor’s Promise
Jimmy won the election! On his first day as governor, he said something very special:
“The time for racial discrimination is over. Every person deserves to be treated fairly and kindly.”
As governor, Jimmy worked to:
Help more kids go to school
Create new jobs
Protect Georgia’s beautiful land
Make the government work better
Bring people together
Thinking About the White House
People all over America started noticing Jimmy’s good work in Georgia. They liked how he brought people together and solved problems.
“Maybe you should run for president,” Rosalynn suggested one day.
Jimmy thought about it. “Can a peanut farmer from Plains become president?”
“Why not?” smiled Rosalynn. “You’ve always worked hard and helped others!”
The Big Campaign
In 1976, Jimmy decided to run for president. Many people didn’t know who he was at first.
Meeting America
Jimmy talked to farmers in Iowa, factory workers in Michigan, and teachers in California. He listened to their hopes and worries.
“I’m just like you,” he would say. “I want to make our country better for everyone.”
The Amazing Victory
People loved Jimmy’s honest way of talking. They trusted him because he was kind and worked hard. On election night, something amazing happened!
“Jimmy Carter wins!” the TV announcer shouted. “The peanut farmer from Plains will be our next president!”
A New Chapter Begins
The Carters packed their bags and got ready to move to Washington, D.C. They were excited but a little nervous too.
“Will the White House feel like home?” asked their daughter Amy.
“Home is where we’re together,” Jimmy said, hugging his family. “And where we can help others.”
As the sun set over Plains, Jimmy looked at the peanut farm where it all began. Now he would have the chance to help not just Georgia, but the whole country. The biggest adventure of his life was about to begin…
Leading America with Kindness
On a cold January day in 1977, Jimmy Carter became President of the United States. He walked down Pennsylvania Avenue with Rosalynn, waving to the happy crowds.
Moving to a New Home
The White House was very different from their farm in Plains. Amy brought her cat Misty and set up her treehouse in the garden.
“This place is so big!” Amy said, exploring the halls.
“But we’ll make it feel like home,” Rosalynn smiled, hanging family pictures on the walls.
Making Peace Around the World
Jimmy worked hard to help countries be friends instead of fighting. His biggest success was helping Egypt and Israel make peace.
For 13 days, Jimmy talked with both leaders at a place called Camp David. They stayed up late many nights trying to find ways to agree.
“Peace is worth every minute we spend working for it,” Jimmy told them.
Caring for Our Earth
Jimmy knew we needed to take care of our planet. He put solar panels on the White House roof and asked everyone to save energy.
“We must protect the Earth for our children,” he would say.
• Created the Department of Energy
• Protected millions of acres of Alaska’s wilderness
• Signed peace treaties
• Helped create more jobs
• Supported human rights
Tough Times and Challenges
Being president wasn’t always easy. Gas prices went up, and many people lost their jobs. Some countries weren’t friendly to America.
“What should we do?” his advisors asked.
“We’ll face these problems together,” Jimmy answered. “And we’ll help those who are struggling.”
Standing Up for What’s Right
Jimmy always tried to do what was right, even when it wasn’t easy. He spoke up for people who needed help and treated everyone with respect.
One day, a reporter asked why he worked so hard.
“Because every person matters,” Jimmy said. “And we should use our power to help others.”
Looking Forward
Even when things got hard, Jimmy never stopped trying to make America better. He listened to people’s problems and worked to solve them.
“We are a great nation,” he would say, “because we care about each other and work together.”
As his time as president continued, Jimmy knew there was still much work to do. But he believed in the American people and their power to make good things happen…
A Lifetime of Helping Others
After leaving the White House in 1981, Jimmy Carter didn’t stop working to make the world better. He and Rosalynn started something very special called The Carter Center.
Building a New Dream
“What should we do next?” Rosalynn asked Jimmy one morning.
“Let’s help people all around the world,” Jimmy answered with a smile. “We can fight diseases, build homes, and watch elections to make sure they’re fair.”
Fighting Disease and Building Hope
Jimmy worked hard to stop a painful disease called Guinea worm. When he started, millions of people had it. Now, there are very few cases left!
“Every person deserves to be healthy,” Jimmy would say as he traveled to villages in Africa. “We won’t stop until this disease is gone forever.”
Building Homes with Love
Jimmy and Rosalynn didn’t just talk about helping – they worked with their own hands! They helped build houses with Habitat for Humanity.
“Everyone deserves a safe place to live,” Jimmy said, hammering nails into boards. “And we can build it together!”
Teaching Others to Care
Jimmy and Rosalynn traveled all over the world, teaching people about:
• Helping sick people get better
• Making sure elections are fair
• Protecting human rights
• Taking care of our planet
Still Working at 98
Even as he got older, Jimmy kept helping others. At 98 years old, he still cared about making the world better.
“Age doesn’t matter,” he would say. “What matters is doing good things for others.”
A Legacy of Love
Jimmy Carter’s life shows us that one person can make a big difference. From a small peanut farm in Georgia to the White House, and then around the world, he never stopped trying to help others.
His story teaches us that:
- Being kind matters more than being powerful
- We should help others whenever we can
- Hard work and honesty are important
- It’s never too late to make the world better
- Love and service can change lives
Jimmy Carter’s life reminds us that we all have the power to make the world a better place. His work continues to inspire people everywhere, showing that with love, dedication, and hard work, we can all help create a brighter future for everyone.