DEDHAM, Mass. — There is someone in our own backyard who worked closely with President Carter.
Margaret McKenna served as undersecretary of education and deputy white house counsel for the Carter administration.
She’s also the former President of Lesley University and a past fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School.
McKenna spoke with anchor and reporter Kerry Kavanaugh to reflect on her time working under the Carter administration.
“He was only interested in the best interest of the American people.” Said McKenna. “He had very little concern about his own status and political blowback. He wanted to do what’s right.”
McKenna, when asked what President Carter will be remembered for, said that he was a man who was a model of integrity, purpose, and courage.
When asked what was the most overlooked part of his Presidency, McKenna said the strides he made towards women.
“In those 4 four years, he was in office, we put more than 40 women on the federal bench.” Carter was a large gender equality activist throughout his 4-year tenure.
“Can you imagine not being able to get a credit card in your name? Or a mortgage? But at that time you could not. You had to have your father or your husband sign. He changed all of that. He created Title IX. He created domestic shelters for women who were being abused.”
Mckenna says Carter was also the first American President to talk about human rights, internationally. Something that he continued well beyond his presidency.
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