Mary Burrell

Mary E. Cary Burrell was an American educator and businessperson.[1]

Education

Mary E. Cary graduated from the Richmond Colored Normal School in June 1883.[2]

Career and Family

Mary E. Cary taught in the Richmond Public Schools from her graduation in 1883 until she married William Patrick Burrell in 1885,[1][3] who likewise had graduated from the Richmond Colored Normal School, the year after she did.[1][2] Mary Burrell and her husband were early members of the Grand Fountain of the United Order of True Reformers, a fraternal organization which grew to offer insurance, banking services, real estate services, a retirement home, and educational opportunities to members.[4] As a member of the Grand Fountain, Mary Burrell founded new lodges as well as expanded the number of youth education programs (called 'Rosebud') which were organized by the lodges to teach financial skills.[3] She served as first clerk for the bank, training other clerks, and was president of the Rosebud Board. She served in the leadership of multiple social organizations, including the Women's Auxiliary of Richmond Hospital, the Virginia State Federation of Colored Women, and the Women's Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of the State of Virginia.[3] She organized social gatherings in her home in Richmond, with prominent guests who included Booker T. Washington.[3] She raised two sons, William Jr. (1893) and John Mercer (1894).[1][3]

In 1910, financial scandal and fraud struck and the Grand Fountain was forced to shutter most of its businesses. Mary Burrell and her husband relocated to New Jersey, where they resumed their work building social organizations.[5] Mary Burrell was involved in women's suffrage, and later worked on get-out-the vote programs and various political organizations.[6]

References
  1. "NJ Suffragists – Mary E. Cary Burrell (1866-1949) | Discover NJ 350". discovernjhistory.org. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
  2. Annual Message and Accompanying Documents of the Mayor of Richmond to the City Council. Richmond, Virginia: Williams Printing Company. 1890. p. 42.
  3. Burrell, William Patrick (1909). Twenty-five Years History of the Grand Fountain of the United Order of True Reformers, 1881-1905. Grand Fountain, United Order of True Reformers.
  4. Hollie, Donna Tyler. "Grand Fountain of the United Order of True Reformers". Encyclopedia Virginia. Virginia Humanities. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  5. Hughey, Matthew, ed. (2013). Race and Ethnicity in Secret and Exclusive Social Orders: Blood and Shadow. Routledge. ISBN 9781317432470.
  6. Livingston Adams, Betty. "Biographical Sketch of Mary E. Cary Burrell". Alexander Street. Retrieved 2023-03-28.

A photo of Mrs. Mary E. Cary Burrell.

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