Annette Wise lives in Plains, Georgia and has been a family friend of President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter since 1973. As a college student during the summer of 1975, she worked for Carter’s Warehouse in Plains, Georgia. After graduating from the University of Georgia, she married Lonnie Wise of Plains. Lonnie and Annette have lived in various locations across the state of Georgia as he pursued a career with Georgia Power and she began a teaching career. In 1995, when they returned to Plains, Annette accepted a job to develop the Jimmy Carter Education Program.
Through programs developed in partnership with Plains Historical Preservation Trust and as an educator, she has authored two books, developed instructional videos, and historical performances. Some programs she has developed have received awards including the Georgia Department of Education – Governor’s Exemplary Award in 1978, The Georgia Partnership Distinguished Friend Award from Fort Valley State University Cooperative Extension Program in 2006, Governor’s Award in the Humanities in 2011, and the Garden Club of Georgia’s Beautification Conservation Education Seal of Honor Award in 2014.