by Michael D. Wynne
In my five decades of meeting and interviewing some of the most interesting people of Louisiana, beginning with the late Dr. T. Harry Williams, it never ceases to amaze me that every single person is interesting, if one is willing to sit down and spend time and listen to their thoughts and deeds. Mary Vinson, the “Woman Without A Name,” is one of the best that I
have met. Coming from one of the most humbling backgrounds ever imaginable, Mary has improved her life significantly as well as improved the world around her.
Mary’s origins are a bit cloudy. She may have been born in either Florida or New York in 1947; she doesn’t know for sure. All she does know is that she was one of 23 children of her mother who ran a snack shop in Troy, New York, her father being unknown to her. She says, “I was born without a name. A midwife delivered all of my momma’s children and she
didn’t document my birth. I was not given a name.”Mary” was taken away from her mother at age 5 by the Riley family (“brown people,” as Mary describes) of Flatwoods, Louisiana. “My Momma” had to work, didn’t have a husband. She worried about all the children as she couldn’t take care of all of us.”
In Flatwoods in the 50s, Mary loved the world that she was in. She remembers the family “cooking biscuits, churning butter, and smoking the meat in the smoke house.” Mary also enjoyed going to the nearby Sunlight Baptist Church. “I liked the church because you could go and dance and eat and make ice cream. Church was fun!”
Mary describes the Rileys, who never formally adopted her, as, “They were the best parents on earth except for one thing, they were over protective. Feeling like I belonged to somebody was the best feeling in my life.”
Mary married Earnest Vincent in 1967 and has 4 children, 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren now. She spent most of her life working at a Wardville nursing home where she loved caring for those who couldn’t care for themselves.
In 1998, Mary met Linda Dalrymple who was a volunteer in the local education project, “Partner’s In Literacy.” Linda worked closely with Mary for Mary to learn to be able to write her name and to read. This opened up a whole world for her. She became incredibly excited when she first read a store sign, Hobby Lobby, by herself for the first time.
As a child, Mary loved to draw, but had no access to drawing material, so she spent years drawing with a stick in the dirt on the ground.
After meeting Linda, Mary realized that she could pursuit her love of drawing. Her drawings, similar to the style of the late Clementine Hunter of Melrose Plantation, shows Mary’s everyday life as a child on the farm. These wonderful drawings are both awe inspiring and beautiful. When first lady, Michelle Obama, heard about the drawings, she said, “I encourage you to find a way to strengthen our country by serving your community. Your continued engagement is vital as we move forward together.”
Mary has published her artwork and story in a new book, Born Without A Name by Mary Vinson. (available on Amazon) She is working now on her next book and has many faithful admirers. This writer is a great admirer of hers, not only for her artwork, but of this amazing woman also.
