As we pause to mourn the death of former president Jimmy Carter, this time becomes a moment to appreciate and learn from his monumental legacy. I continue to be inspired by his wisdom, his courage and his great acts of generosity of spirit, combined with consistent and overarching kindness.
In times like these, I invite each one of us to channel this former president when it comes to making decisions for ourselves, our families, our communities and the global economy.
Be Willing to Go First
President Carter was a proponent for renewable energy before most others, and certainly before it was cool. In a visionary act of leadership, he put solar panels on the roof of the White House in 1979. In 1977 he gave what later became known as the “sweater speech” calling on all Americans to set thermostats to 65 degrees in the daytime and 55 at night. His foresight set a precedent for future environmental policies and initiatives, highlighting the importance of clean energy in combating both the energy crisis and climate change.
Be a He for She
In many ways Jimmy Carter was ahead of his times. He appointed more than twice the number of women judges, and judges of color than all of his predecessors combined. He paved the path for diversity in leadership within our government.
His He for She actions, some of which are reflected in his book about gender equity, represent a vital and growing trend of men advocating for women and supporting women's equality. He brought long overdue–and still needed today– recognition that gender inequality is not a women's issue, but a crucial human issue that affects and impacts us all.
Lead by Doing
Encourage the best in everyone around you. After his years as president, Carter continued to work on human rights, social issues, and peace negotiations. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for “for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.”
I also love that he would jog or bike for transportation even while serving as president. Not only did he get his steps in, he modeled being outside, using our bodies and not relying on cars to get around.
Show up and Contribute
Well beyond his years in the White House, he was a powerful example of integrity with his very presence. He was there when it mattered. He devoted his life to causes that mattered to individuals locally and abroad. He supported organizations that helped others including Habitat for Humanity where he led by example, building countless homes, both in the US and across the globe--all while raising awareness of the critical need for affordable housing. He continued to volunteer well into his 90s, and encouraged other leaders to get involved.
His wisdom, courage, and acts of generosity were personal virtues as well as guiding principles that touched countless lives. As we gather to mourn the loss of one of our nation’s most charismatic leaders, may we each build on his legacy, incorporating his lessons into our own lives.
When in doubt about what to do, I encourage each of us to ask ourselves, what would Jimmy Carter do?
May we all find ways to lead with peace, gather our friends and build community while supporting others. May we take action to reduce our energy consumption, put on a sweater, and speak up for gender and racial equity.
Important Disclosures
The views presented here are those of Nia Impact Capital (“Nia”) and these views may be subject to change. All information is obtained from sources believed to be reliable, yet Nia does not certify the accuracy or completeness of this information.