Jody Powell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jody Powell
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| 16th White House Press Secretary | |
| In office January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981 |
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| President | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | Ron Nessen |
| Succeeded by | James Brady |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Joseph Lester Powell Jr.
September 30, 1943 Cordele, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | September 14, 2009 (aged 65) Cambridge, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Nan Jared |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Georgia State University (BA) Emory University (MA) |
Joseph Lester "Jody" Powell, Jr. (born September 30, 1943 – died September 14, 2009) was an important American political advisor. He worked as the White House press secretary for President Jimmy Carter. After his time in the White House, he helped start a public relations company.
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Jody Powell's Early Life and Education
Jody Powell was born in Cordele, Georgia. He grew up on a farm in Vienna, Georgia, not far from Jimmy Carter's hometown.
He started at the United States Air Force Academy in 1961. Later, he continued his studies at Georgia State University, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966. He then went to Emory University, where he earned a Master of Arts in political science.
Working with Jimmy Carter
While studying at Emory University in 1968, Jody Powell sent a paper he had written to Jimmy Carter. At that time, Carter was running to become the governor of Georgia. Soon after, Powell began working for Carter.
Powell's first job for Carter was as a volunteer driver. He would drive Carter to different places for his campaign. Over time, Powell became a close friend to Carter. He also started working as Carter's press secretary. Powell eventually left Emory University to work full-time for Carter.
The White House Years
During Carter's campaign to become president in 1976, Powell was known for his energy. He would call reporters from public phones to make sure they understood Carter's message. Before the 1976 election, Time Magazine wrote about Powell. They thought he would be a very powerful press secretary if Carter won. This was because of his close friendship with Carter.
After Carter became president in 1976, Powell was part of a group called the "Georgia Mafia." This was a group of close aides from Georgia who got important jobs in Carter's government. Many of them were new to national politics. In 1977, Powell and Carter's chief of staff, Hamilton Jordan, were shown on the cover of Time magazine. They were also on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, where they were called Carter's "whiz kids." Jody Powell served as the White House press secretary for all four years of Carter's presidency.
After the White House
In 1985, Jody Powell wrote a book called The Other Side of the Story. In his book, he talked about a funny event involving President Carter and a swamp rabbit. This event happened in 1979 and became quite famous.
In 1990, Powell lent his voice to the Ken Burns PBS documentary The Civil War. He voiced important Confederate figures from the American Civil War, like Generals Stonewall Jackson and John B. Gordon.
In 1991, Powell and Sheila Tate started a public relations company called Powell Tate. Sheila Tate had been the press secretary for Nancy Reagan. Powell worked as the CEO of this company until he passed away in 2009.
Death
Jody Powell passed away on September 14, 2009. He died from a heart attack at his home in Maryland.
