Mary Shaw was born and raised in rural central Pennsylvania. During her childhood, she spent summers with relatives in Philadelphia and Washington, DC, and realized early on that she was a city girl trapped temporarily in a country girl's life.
Mary attended Lock Haven University and Arcadia University, with dual majors in Journalism and Information Technology, with the understanding that technology can make communication more efficient and more effective.
While in college, Mary became keenly interested in social justice issues, and became an activist for the rights of the abused and the underprivileged.
After working her way through college with small-town modeling jobs, Mary spent some time as a newspaper reporter and radio reporter/deejay.
She moved to Philadelphia ("The City of Brotherly Love") while in her twenties, and built a career in communications and technology, while continuing to pursue her socio-political writing and activism.
Says Mary: "It has been said that the pen is mightier than the sword. I hope so, because I use my words to fight the uphill battle for human rights, civil liberties, and social justice. I strive to challenge people to think, to care, and to work to make the world a better place."
In 2002, Mary became a local chapter leader for the Nobel-Prize-winning human rights group Amnesty International (AI), and in 2003 she moved up to a position as AI's Philadelphia Area Coordinator. Her term as Area Coordinator ended in July of 2007, giving her more time for writing and public speaking; but Mary still continues her hands-on activism with a number of organizations dedicated to various aspects of human rights and social justice.
In her spare time, Mary enjoys movies, books, spending time with friends, meeting new people, and generally having fun. She is also a gourmet cook, specializing in Mediterranean-style vegetarian cuisine. (Follow her culinary adventures at MeatlessMediterranean.com.)
Mary says that if she were a cartoon character, she would be a cross between Lisa Simpson and Tweety.
Her birthday is the 7th of May, and her favorite color is purple.
Mary is divorced, and has remained child-free by choice. She currently resides on the outskirts of Philly, while also traveling extensively for business, pleasure, and (of course) activism.
