Steven J Dick, Ph.D.
In my mind, Jimmy Carter is the best ex-president we have had. He opted for charity and doing the work rather than directing others. His goals exemplify the type of person I wish I was. That is why I chose to Join the 39-Mile Walk Challenge. If you can pitch in.
When President Jimmy Carter left the White House in 1981, he didn’t retire—he redefined what a former president could do. Together with Rosalynn Carter, he founded The Carter Center, an organization dedicated to advancing peace, improving health, and promoting human rights worldwide. More than four decades later, the Center remains one of the most quietly effective humanitarian institutions on the planet.
What makes the Carter Center remarkable is the breadth and depth of its work. Its Peace Programs help mediate conflicts, support human rights defenders, and strengthen democratic processes through trusted election observation missions. Its Health Programs have led some of the most successful disease eradication efforts in history, including the near-elimination of Guinea worm disease and major initiatives targeting river blindness, trachoma, lymphatic filariasis, and malaria. The Center also continues Rosalynn Carter’s legacy through its Mental Health Program, which expands access to care, reduces stigma, and supports caregivers.
These aren’t abstract goals—they are measurable, life-changing outcomes for millions of people. And they continue today with the same humility and determination that defined President Carter’s public life.
This March, I’m participating in the 39-Mile Walk Challenge to support the Carter Center’s ongoing mission. Each mile is a small tribute to the Carters’ belief that peace, health, and human dignity are not privileges but universal rights. Walking is a simple act, but it’s a way to honor a lifetime of service and help sustain the work that still lies ahead.
If you’d like to follow along or support the effort, I’d love to have you with me—step by step, mile by mile. 39-Mile Walk Challenge
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