Saturday, December 4, 2010
Blog 15 - An Inspirational Woman - Lillian Carter
I don't think about risks much. I just do what I want to do. If you gotta go, you gotta go. ~Lillian Carter~
Every time I think that I'm getting old, and gradually going to the grave, something else happens. ~Lillian Carter~
If I had one wish for my children, it would be that each of them would reach for goals that have meaning for them as individuals. ~Lillian Carter~
Some of my young classmates probably don’t know who Lillian Carter is – she died before many of you were born. She was the mother of President Jimmy Carter and somewhat of a “character” in her time, doing her own thing and speaking her mind without much consideration for what other people might think. She was born in 1998 in Georgia and in 1917, at the age of 19, she volunteered to be a nurse in World War I (without any nursing training!) but the military nurse program was cancelled and she didn’t go. She completed her nursing degree in Atlanta in 1923. Her family disapproved of her career choice, but she forged ahead with it anyway, then met and married her husband in 1925,after her graduation from nursing school. She defied social norms by welcoming African American neighbors into her home and she provided medical care as a nurse practitioner (at times illicitly!) for both African American and White employees of her husbands business and for the community of Plains, GA. She was a liberal social activist who worked for desegregation in a time and place where that point of view was highly irregular and unpopular. In 1966, at the age of 68, she applied to the Peace Corp, and after a psychiatric evaluation, she was accepted and was sent to India for 22 months, where she worked as a nurse to those who were desperately poor and sick, including those with leprosy. “Miz” Lillian was greatly loved by those she served all her life and she loved and supported each of her children no matter what road in life they chose to travel. She left a legacy of service and an example of determination to do what she knew was right, no matter what the opinion of those around her. It’s people like Lillian Carter who help me know that “age is just a number, and old is just a state of mind.” As she said, “I don’t think about risks much. I just do what I want to do. If you gotta go, you gotta go.” REFERENCE: Wikipedia. Lillian Gordy Carter. 28 September 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lillian_Gordy_Carter
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Hey Jeri,
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of Lillian Carter, but I am extremely grateful to have read about her on your blog. It's good to know that you are thought of well after your time. She was an inspiriational woman and I hope to one day be written about my efforts in the future. My passion is to become a nurse that is available for all kinds of care and I'm sure 'Miz Lillian' had gone through much criticism for the kind of care she administered during that time. Thanks for that wonderful post! I feel like she set a standard for the women of our generation and how we should be go out into the world and not have anything stop us from doing what is right and helping the world as much as we can.
As a African American Women I am grateful that women like "Miz Lillian" had that mind frame. Sometimes, thinking about the risk, keep us from living,loving life and all that it offers. I am guilty of this sometimes..
ReplyDeleteJeri, thanks for sharing. These are words to live by.
Jeri,
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you choose to write about an extraordinary woman. Miz Lillian lived a very productive life and made a difference, her kindness and generosity are the best aspect of her life. Her tireless work and passion for social justice has brought a positive change in society. In this selfish world today, her energy, passion and kindness will be sorely missed.
Subuk Usmani
Jeri-
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful choice! It is so hard to believe that her choice to become a nurse was disapproved by her family! Today, people are pushing their friends and family to go into the nursing field! It's too bad the military nursing didn't work out for her! Could you imagine what she would do and learn overseas?! She had such a great spirit that seemed contagious. We definitely need more people like her.
Thanks again,
Courtney
Jeri, Mz. Lillian is a good choice. Family of faous peple are often overlooked. It is obvious from the history that you have providied that President Carter had a great role model for a mother. Her passion and drive can be seen today in the work of her son even after he has left the Presidency. Just as she did not beleive in sitting back and relaxing as she aged her son continues her legacy in his work with Habitat for Humanity and other programs. It is important to know that our lives can be reflected long past our death and we should make every moment count.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeri,
ReplyDeleteLillian Carter was an unfamiliar name to me before reading about her in your blog. Thank you for taking the time to share her story, seems like she was a great human being. Her story inspires me to go for what I want no matter the odds. I have truly enjoyed following your blogs this semester. You are very educated and I appreciate the quality of your posts.
Hi Jeri,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments to my post this semester. I too not aware of who this lady was until today. She sounds like my grandmother,my grandmother would call herself a "realist" do what she has to do, to get where she wanted to get. I am happy that women like Mrs. Carter were around during that time it gave people of color hope that not all people were narrow minded; she was able to achieve her goals and at the same time encourage her children to do the same
Awesome post,
Kitara WRight