This collection honors the legacy of Mary Matthews Edwards (1919-2014), a longtime Media resident and one of the borough's best known social activists. Born in Baltimore, she was the daughter of Rev. Elizabeth Bland Oveide and William E. Oveide. After moving with her family to Media when a child, Mary became a member of the Campbell A.M.E. Church and attended Media High School. She worked as a teacher's assistant at Media-Providence Friends School, and later as an administrator at Glen Mills School and the Media Fellowship House. At age 60 she began studies at the Delaware County Community College.
Throughout her life she was involved in local, national, and international projects and groups promoting social justice and improved human relations, including the American Friends Service Committee, Pendle Hill Quaker Study Center, the NAACP, and the National Association of Negro Women. As a member of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, she traveled to India and Scandinavia working to unite women worldwide to oppose oppression and exploitation.
The collection includes photographs, letters, family records, and newspaper articles from Mary's scrapbooks. Besides her family life, these items cover Mary's political activities (including a stint as chair of the Media Democratic Committee) and, more generally, a series of racist incidents in Media and Delaware County in the late 1990s and the response of Mary and others to these crimes. In 1996, the highlight of Mary Edwards social justice activities was her founding of the Citizens-Community Task Force to combat hate activities and racial disparity in Media and surrounding communities.
She was married to John J. Edwards, Sr., and they had two children, Juanita and John Jr.
Thanks to Mary's daughter, Juanita Edwards, for allowing MHAC to scan and post this collection of digital images and documents, which reflect a long commitment by Mary Edwards to better the lives of all Media residents. Juanita Edwards retains the original items and any rights to reproduce them.
Unity Day group photo. Homer Floyd, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, standing. Seated (left to right), Rev. Rideout, Mary Edwards, Hans Deitz, Robert Dee, Vice Chairman, African-American-Jewish Relations, ADL; and Thomas Smith, President, Pennsylvania State Conference of Branches of the NAACP.
Invitation received by Mary M. Edwards from the President and Mrs. Johnson and the Vice President and Mrs. Humphrey to attend the Inaugural Ball on Wednesday January 20, 1965 at 9:00 p.m.
Invitation received by Mary M. Edwards to the inauguration of Lyndon Baines Johnson as President of the United States and Hubert Horatio Humphrey as Vice President on Wednesday January 20, 1965 in the City of Washington.
Invitation received by Mary M. Edwards to the inauguration of Jimmy Carter as President of the United States and Walter Mondale as Vice President on Thursday January 20, 1977 in the City of Washington.
Letter to "supporters" of Jimmy Carter's Presidential Campaign, from Rick Hutcheson, Delegate Selection Coordinator, inviting them to organizational meetings the week of December 16-19, 1975 at various locations in Pennsylvania (Harrisburg, Mt. Lebanon, Lewisburg, Dallas, Wescosville, and Philadelphia).
Juanita Edwards in toy police car on playground formerly at the 200 block of Olive Street, Media, Pa. This property is now part of the Delaware County Government Center.
Speaker of the PA House of Representatives, Matthew J. Ryan offering support for Media's Unity Day and encouraging all Media citizens to participate and to dedicate themselves to the ideals of democracy, equality, and freedom for all people.
Page 1 of letter to Clinton inviting him to hold one of his Town Meetings on race relations in Media. Signed by Mary Edwards, Coordinator, Carolyn Glover, Recorder, and Juanita Edwards, Publicist.
Page 2 of letter to Clinton inviting him to hold one of his Town Meetings on race relations in Media. Signed by Mary Edwards, Coordinator, Carolyn Glover, Recorder, and Juanita Edwards, Publicist.
Letter to Mary Edwards from Secretary to the Commonwealth, C. Delores Tucker congratulating her on her selection as a participant in the 1976 Pennsylvania Electoral College. The letter contains instructions and an enclosed packet of information.
Letter to Mary Edwards from Secretary to the Commonwealth, C. Delores Tucker extending an invitation to her to participate in the 1976 Pennsylvania Electoral College as Assistant Page.
Letter to Mary M. Edwards from Robert W. Edgar, US Representative, 7th District, Pennsylvania The letter discusses a contract, approved by the U.S. Minority Business Development Association (MBDA) for management and technical assistance to minority businesses in Philadelphia, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, and Bucks counties. The letter invites Mary Edwards to a meeting with the principals in this contract to learn more about how she might get involved.
A letter from A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr., Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, declining an invitation to participate in a Media NAACP panel program scheduled for Sunday November 4, 1979. He declined not out of disinterest but because he would need to disqualify himself whenever any NAACP cases came before his court.
Letterhead reads: "Media Civic League, 312 East Jefferson Street, Media, PA. Wilby Higgins, President; Theodosia King and Randall Whitsett, Vice Presidents; Mary M. Edwards, Secretary; Verna N. Burrell, Treasurer; Thomas Lee, David S. Pinkston, Mrs. David S. Pinkston, William Whitaker, Frank N. Whitfield, Roland Harley, Samuel Bethel, and Aubrey Benson, Board of Directors." This organization was formed in 1963, and the letterhead seems to match its original officers. (Delaware County Daily Times, March 1, 1963)
