Meet Mary

When you start to write about yourself you begin to realize you’ve done more than you ever realized. What got me, though, is I’m finally using my college degrees!! I have an undergraduate degree in public relations and a master’s in public administration—perfect degrees for doing a political newsletter and website!!

I've been married for 48 years and we have one married daughter and two granddaughters. Family is number one in my life. My wonderful husband and I met while in the service.

After retiring from the Air Force I focused on being active in our daughter’s school. In middle school I was active in the Parent Teacher’s Organization and in high school I was band booster president, and I oversaw a weekly, state regulated bingo game. During this time, I also became a substitute teacher, starting off with all grades and settling into middle school only. I did this for 13 years.

After moving to Waynesville in 2008 I became active in the Waynesville Police Department’s Civilian Volunteers—leading the group for 13 years. Being involved in community is important to me and I am now a member of the town’s Zoning Board of Adjustment.

My activism role started just before I turned 71 when I attended my first ever protest. The motivation came and comes from the oath I took, and administered, as a military officer to uphold and defend the Constitution. That oath is deeply embedded in my soul. This road I’m on continues to teach me so much about myself and what my role is in making changes for those coming after.