Mary Carter Smith facts for kids
Mary Carter Smith (born in 1919, died April 24, 2007) was a famous American teacher who helped bring back the art of storytelling as a way to teach. She believed that stories could help kids learn and grow.
Mary graduated from Coppin State University. She taught in the Baltimore City Public Schools for 31 years. She also helped start many important groups. These included Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Maryland, which helps young people. She also helped create the Arena Players theatre company and the Griots' Circle of Maryland.
Mary had her own Saturday morning radio show called "Griot for the Young and the Young at Heart." A "Griot" is a special storyteller, historian, and musician in West African cultures. In 1983, Mary Smith was named the official Griot of Baltimore City. Later, in 1991, she became the official Griot of Maryland. This showed how much her storytelling was valued.
Her Amazing Legacy
Mary Carter Smith received many honors for her work:
- In 1982, she helped start The National Association of Black Storytellers. This group helps keep the tradition of Black storytelling alive.
- In 1985, she won the Zora Neale Hurston Award. This award honors people who have made great contributions to Black culture.
- In 1996, the National Storytelling Association gave her a Lifetime Achievement Award and The Circle of Excellence Award. These awards recognized her lifelong dedication to storytelling.
- You can even see her image at the National Great Blacks In Wax Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. This shows how important she was.
Mary Carter Smith's work helped many people learn and appreciate the power of stories.
