Mary Wilburn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Nelson Wilburn
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Mary Nelson, later Wilburn, from the 1952 Howard University yearbook
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| Born | 1932 |
| Died | March 16, 2021 (aged 89) Washington, D.C.
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| Occupation | Lawyer, state official |
| Known for | President of FIDA |
Mary E. Nelson Wilburn (1932 – March 16, 2021) was an American lawyer and government official. She was known for her work in law and public service. Mary Wilburn also taught German at Howard University. She led the Wisconsin Parole Board for a time. Later, she became the president of the International Federation of Women Lawyers.
Mary's Early Life and School
Mary E. Nelson grew up in Washington, D.C. She was a childhood friend of TV producer Ellis Haizlip. Mary went to Howard University, graduating in 1952. At Howard, she was the president of the Howard Players, which was a drama group. She was also part of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Mary acted in plays with other students, including famous author Toni Morrison and actress Roxie Roker.
After Howard, she continued her studies. She earned a master's degree in German from the University of Wisconsin in 1955. Later, in 1975, she earned her law degree (JD) from the University of Wisconsin Law School. Mary's sister, Elizabeth Nelson Ausbrooks, also graduated from Howard University in 1952. Elizabeth became a political science professor.
Mary's Career in Law and Public Service
Mary Nelson performed in a play called Mamba's Daughters with Roxie Roker. They toured Scandinavia and Germany with the Howard Players. Mary taught German at Howard University from 1962 to 1964. In the 1960s, she lived in different countries like Nigeria, Venezuela, France, and Guyana. This was because her husband worked for UNESCO, an international organization.
In 1973, Mary Wilburn moved to Wisconsin with her husband. She served on the school board in Madison, Wisconsin from 1975 to 1977. She was the second Black woman to join the Madison school board. Mary also worked as a supervising lawyer. She helped people in institutions through a legal program at the University of Wisconsin Law School.
From 1977 to 1982, Mary worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Washington, D.C. She wrote a report in 1979 about "Family Problems Related to the Female Offender." This report was part of important discussions in Congress about women in federal prisons.
In 1980, Mary Wilburn was the main speaker at the NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet in Madison. In 1986, she was chosen to lead the Wisconsin Parole Board. She explained her job by saying, "It's a job in which you make decisions about people's lives." She added that it affects not just the person seeking parole, but also the community where they will live. She left this role in 1987 to move back to Washington, D.C.
From 2000 to 2002, Mary Wilburn served as the president of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). This organization works to promote the welfare of women and children globally.
Mary's Family Life
Mary Nelson married Adolph Yarbrough Wilburn in 1957. He was a foreign service officer. They had two sons, named Adolph and Jason. In Madison, they lived in a unique home called the "Lunar House." This house was built in 1969. Its materials were chosen to look like moon rocks and parts of a space capsule.
Mary Wilburn passed away in March 2021, at 89 years old. She died in Washington, D.C. Her funeral was held at St. Augustine Catholic Church. She was buried in Laurel, Maryland.
