Former President Jimmy Carter
and Mattie J.T. Stepanek
became close friends in Spring, 2001.
After many phone conversations
and e-mail exchanges, they finally
met in December on the set of
Good Morning America. 

In 2002, they began collaborating 
on a book that would be titled,
“Just Peace: A Message of Hope.”
Published posthumously in 2006,
the book earned the IPPY Gold Medal
for the Peacemaker Category.

After Mattie’s passing, President Carter
became a close friend and mentor
to his mom, Dr. Jeni Stepanek,
Founding Chair & current President
of Mattie’s namesake Foundation.

In 2014, President Carter joined other
leaders in support of the Foundation’s
July 17 National Peace Day initiative. 

In 2019, he wrote a letter encouraging
people to celebrate Mattie’s legacy
by supporting the Foundation.