Mary Christian

Mary Taylor Christian (August 9, 1924 – November 11, 2019) was an American educator and politician. Christian was born in Hampton, Virginia and graduated from Phenix High School in Hampton in 1941. She received her bachelor's degree in education in 1955 from Hampton University, and her master's degree in speech and drama from Columbia University in 1960. Christian then received her doctorate degree from Michigan State University in 1968. Mary T. Christian and her story can be found in the book Hampton University. She started off as a young employee of the laundry department at the school; Christian then moved on to be a typist at the same school.  Later she turned to education and became a teacher, this was encouraged by the people around her.  She could be seen on campus throughout the years because she not only worked there before she became a teacher, but she also went on to study there as well as a becoming a professor at Hampton University. Education and community During Christian’s time as an educator she wrote multiple papers and dissertations about educational approaches.  Her dissertation, “A Study of the Dimensions of the Nongraded School concepts” has been referenced in articles about educational practices.  Christian was also active giving speeches and sessions through the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History.  In 1970, her session was on teaching the Black experience with literature in schools.  She was actively involved in many avenues as an educator and bringing awareness to Black experiences.  Including being a professor and the Dean of Education at Hampton University in 1980.  She was lovingly called ‘Dr. C’ by her many students.  Christian was a Hampton City School Board member, becoming the first African American woman to do so. Political career She served in the Virginia House of Delegates, from 1986 to 2003, and was a Democrat.