One of the most important things we do at The Creative Coast is connect people.
We connect promising business partners, prospective employees, potential clients and more. We connect great people through our events, our social media channels, one-on-one mentoring meetings and email.
I love seeing how these relationships grow and, of course, I enjoy getting the notes of appreciation. My favorite note came as a result of introducing two women who each had connections with former President Jimmy Carter — Lisa Hayes, through her collaborative work in public health, and Jill Stuckey, through her life in Plains, Ga.
The email read something like this: “When Jimmy heard your name, it made him smile.”
I was actually only copied on this email as it referred not to me, but to Lisa, the executive director of Chatham County SafetyNet Planning Council. Nevertheless, I was happy to think I had something to do with making a past president smile.
My friendship with each of the women also grew and soon I was invited to attend a small gathering with Rosalynn Carter this fall in Savannah. I assumed she would speak of the coming gubernatorial election for her grandson Jason.
She didn’t. She didn’t speak of politics at all, which I appreciated as I don’t care for the subject either. Mrs. Carter spoke about mental illness, the impact on our country and the need for better service.
She spoke specifically of programs she has initiated and promoted for 36 years to try to increase support for mental health. Since I share a passion for this issue, I soon found myself blubbering with Georgia’s royalty while mascara ran down my face. I learned that day that one’s ability to positively impact the world never ends.
Fortunately, I learned something else, which is that anyone with a car and a tank of gas can go meet Rosalynn or Jimmy Carter, no invitation necessary. Nearly every Sunday Jimmy Carter teaches Sunday school in Plains, and the schedule is posted on the Internet.
For my son’s eighth birthday, my parents took him to Disney World. For his ninth birthday, I took him to Sunday school: 4:45 a.m. wake-up alarm, 3.75 hour drive to Plains for three hours of “orientation,” Sunday school, worship service and a photo before driving 3.75 hours back home.
This was perhaps not his most exciting birthday but definitely was memorable. My kids awed at how the dogs sniffed the car for a bomb before we could enter the parking lot. Being checked out by the Secret Service was also a thrill.
Carter shared many great lessons but he also shared some stories. My kids heard first hand about the Camp David peace accords and the 13 days Carter spent with Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin.
This was particularly impactful to reflect upon later as we realized Plains had only one option for lunch and its two options were baked versus fried chicken. Even someone from a tiny town can make a huge mark on the world.
My daughter’s favorite story was one of Carter’s grandson’s determination, humorous wit and purpose.
Jimmy Carter’s grandson Jason had been in the Peace Corps in South Africa when Carter was on his way to meet with Nelson Mandela. Naturally, Jason wanted to capitalize on the opportunity to meet Mandela; so he made the request to his grandfather.
The request was denied. The senior Carter explained he had a lot of work to do in only a one-hour meeting and he didn’t want to drag in the whole family.
Jason didn’t give up. Rather, he replied, saying: “Dear Poppy I’ve always wanted to meet a politician who went to jail before going into office.”
The request was granted. Jimmy Carter said hello at the door, introduced Mandela to his grandson and Jason began speaking in Zulu, Mandela’s native language. Reportedly, the elder Carter got barely another word in for the rest of the hour.
This story was so impactful because it demonstrated the power of education and embracing new cultures.
As I sit at my desk making connections for today, I reflect with thanks on the opportunity to have connected my children to a world beyond themselves.
Bea Wray is executive director of The Creative Coast, a not-for-profit organization that promotes the creative and entrepreneurial community within the region. Bea Wray can be reached at 912-447-8457 or bea@thecreativecoast.org
By Bea Wray