Dear Editor,

The Peanut Brigade was a unique campaign effort that contributed to the success of the 1976 Presidential campaign.

This campaign was under the Federal Election Laws that allowed on $31.2 million funds made by check off funds… pocket change and peanuts compared to recent campaigns.

The April 2023 Southern Living magazine listed Best Small Towns in the South. No surprise that Thomasville, Georgia was one of the towns. A colorful description of the town: “Red brick streets and a top notch restaurant cultural and characteristic to the picture perfect downtown, with a strong entrepreneurial bent.”

I have discovered, in three visits, that Thomasville is a town of beauty and mystic. This city is on the tip of South Georgia, close neighbor to Florida, is filled with stately homes, fine shops, good food and friendly folks.

My first visit was a trip with Rosalynn Carter in the summer of 1975. We were on a campaign trip in south Georgia. Rosalynn had a special bond with Thomasville.

Governor Carter had made good to his pledge to Rosalynn to improve the conditions and treatment of mental ill citizens in our state.

First Lady of Georgia, Rosalynn Carter, had made it her mission to concentrate her time and effort on mental illness. During her first news conference to announce this project… she stated… “The supporters for mental health just descended on me. All five of them.”

During the planning for Regional Mental Centers in the state, the strong leadership qualities in Thomasville caught her attention. One of the first Regional Mental Centers was established in Thomasville.

On this trip, we spent a day with staff and doctors at the Mental Center.

In 1979 Rosalynn was again in Thomasville. Two strong supporters and Peanut Brigaders, Frank Need and Shirley Altman made arrangements with Rosalynn’s White House staff for her to be Grand Marshall for the Annual Rose Festival Parade.

I was sent down from Washington to assist with the plans for this event. It seemed only natural to ask the members of the 1976 campaign Peanut Brigade, complete with banner, to march in this parade.

It was a fun filled three or four days, working with the Thomasville Visitors Center, Chamber of Commerce and the Rose Festival Committee that put this festival together.

My files are filled with pictures. Most memorable are pictures of Rosalynn whirling around the square dance floor with dance partner, Frank Need.

The entrepreneurial bent is evident in hosting the Annual Antique Show Foundation event. One of the most prestigious antique shows in the country.

This year, the 34th annual show was the attraction that brought me to Thomasville for my third visit.

Martha Black Sherman opened her home to me and my friends. We shared her hospitality with a prominent designer from Atlanta.

She invited me to meet with her friends that shared my political views. They were especially interested in my work with President Carter.

We discussed the Carter Presidential campaign. Scores of Thomasville citizens played a major role in the 1976 campaign.

I wrote a book, published by Mercer Press, titled Jimmy Carter Elected President With Pocket Change and Peanuts.” This book has a list of Peanut Brigaders. The list was taken from the invitation list to the Peanut Brigaders White House Inaugural Party.

}Names from this list include… Shirley Altman; T.O. Collins, Jr., Dr. Allen Tripp and Judy Corbin; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Fisher; Mary Kathryn Fitz; Lewis and Diane Flynn; Ann Golden; Mr. and Mrs. William Holloway; Logan and Opal Lewis; Mr. and Mrs. R R Maxwell; Bill and Jean Miller; Frank and Frances Need.

This book can be ordered from Amazon or a personalized and signed book directly from me.

Dorothy Padgett, Author, Former Asst. Chief of Protocol Carter Administration