Mary was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia. She attended Kennesaw State University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Affairs. Later she returned for a certification in Teaching English as a Second Language. During her undergraduate program, she studied abroad in Mexico and has since continued her travels by returning to Mexico whenever possible in addition to making a solo venture through Colombia and Peru.
Mary has stayed close to the immigrant and international communities throughout her adulthood, gaining an understanding of the difficulties and trials of immigration. She teaches English as a second language on the side, and in her free time she enjoys a good book, music, and the serenity of nature.