Mary's family was part of the 6 million blacks that migrated north from the southern slave states from the 1850s to the 1950s. Chicago was her birthplace in 1944. Education was emphasized leading to her doctorate and successful academic career at Mizzou. Then called to be a Poet, Mary has published two works: Riches of Life and Threads of Grace. She just finished a TED Talk and made San Diego her permanent residence.