Mary Burrell facts for kids
Mary E. Cary Burrell was an important American woman. She was a teacher and also a successful business leader.
Contents
Her Early Life and Education
Mary E. Cary finished school in June 1883. She graduated from the Richmond Colored Normal School. This school helped train African American students to become teachers.
Career and Family Life
Mary E. Cary taught in the Richmond Public Schools. She started teaching right after she graduated in 1883. In 1885, she married William Patrick Burrell. He had also graduated from the Richmond Colored Normal School.
Working with the True Reformers
Mary Burrell and her husband were among the first members of a group called the Grand Fountain of the United Order of True Reformers. This was a special club, or a fraternal organization. It grew to offer many helpful services to its members.
The True Reformers provided:
- Insurance to help families
- Banking services
- Real estate services (helping with land and homes)
- A retirement home for older members
- Chances for members to learn and grow
Mary Burrell helped the Grand Fountain grow even more. She started new local groups, called 'lodges'. She also made the youth education programs bigger. These programs were called 'Rosebud'. They taught young people important money skills.
Mary Burrell was very important in the organization. She was the first clerk for the bank. She even trained other clerks. She also led the Rosebud Board as its president.
Community Leadership
Mary Burrell was a leader in many social groups. She was part of the Women's Auxiliary of Richmond Hospital. She also helped lead the Virginia State Federation of Colored Women. Another group she led was the Women's Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of the State of Virginia.
She often hosted social gatherings at her home in Richmond. Famous guests, like Booker T. Washington, would attend these events. Mary and William Burrell had two sons. William Jr. was born in 1893, and John Mercer was born in 1894.
Later Years
Around 1910, the Grand Fountain faced big money problems. Many of its businesses had to close down. Mary Burrell and her husband then moved to New Jersey. There, they continued their work. They kept building and supporting important social organizations.
Links
- A photo of Mrs. Mary E. Cary Burrell.
