Biography

Mary Lane Wright is a retired teacher and reading specialist who represents the alumnae of both Virginia State University (Masters program) and North Georgia State (undergraduate degree). Her husband was active military service and she taught military children in the Department of Defense Education program. She worked for several years in municipal government as a civil servant; but left the service in order to teach. Mary could have followed her husband and maintained a civil service position but she loves children and saw that the children in the military education program really needed good, dedicated teachers particularly in the early grades. Mary is a retiree now but full of dynamism and energy who is very active in her church and civic organizations like the Masons and The Pearl foundation. She enjoyed a very successful and satisfying teaching career and says her key to it all was taking advantage of opportunities presented to her. She is very proud of the difference she made as a teacher. She holds the time she had to "retain" a student over a year as her greatest professional achievement because the consent of the parents were required and was given on the condition she serve as the child's teacher. In the next five years, Mary plans to continue to stay involved in her community; but plans to move out of leadership roles and mentor the next generation that will serve in her place. Mary and her husband travel often and welcomes all members to connect with them.