Earlier today, Rosalynn Carter passed away at the age of 96. A mental health advocate and humanitarian, Mrs. Carter served as the first lady of the United States from 1977 to 1981. She chaired the President’s Commission on Mental Health to help promote better services and protect those with mental illness from discrimination.

After leaving the White House, she and her husband co-founded The Carter Center in Atlanta, where they promoted conflict resolution and advanced human rights. She chaired the annual symposium on mental health issues, raised funds to aid the mentally ill and homeless, and advocated for families and professional caregivers living with disabilities and illness. She outlined the challenges of caregiving in her books, Helping Yourself Help Others and Helping Someone with Mental Illness.

In 1999, President Bill Clinton presented the Carters with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor.

My favorite quotes from Rosalynn Carter:

A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.

I believe in mental health care and I believe that we must focus on long-term solutions to the mental health crisis facing our nation.

The measure of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members.

There are only four kinds of people in the world: Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.

I’ve learned that you cannot predict the outcome of situations or events, but you can control your reactions to them. You can focus on what’s within your control and let go of what’s not.

The best way to enhance freedom in other lands is to demonstrate here that our democratic system is worthy of emulation.

If you doubt you can accomplish something, then you can’t accomplish it. You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.

You must accept that you might fail; then, if you do your best and still don’t win, at least you can be satisfied that you’ve tried.

Never underestimate the power of women. We are agents of change.

It’s never too late to pursue your dreams. Age should never be a barrier to success.