Atlantic City in Atlantic County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Mary Ann Mobley
Brandon, MS
— Miss America 1959 —
"Asked…how she felt about the frightening situation in her native South she said 'I think it's the unintelligent white people who've been creating all the violence. It's a tragic situation and I resent it being made a political football. I read and try to understand what's going on, but I don't feel I know enough about it to be quoted.' Mary Ann went on to say: 'I grew up on a plantation, had a Negro mammy, and the only children I had to play with were her children. She sang to me and she had all the troubles of the world in her voice. That's how I learned to sing.'"
Louella O. Parsons, "One In A Million," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 5/9/1965
Erected by Miss America Organization.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights • Women. In addition, it is included in the Miss America Walk series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1959.
Location. 39° 21.583′ N, 74° 26.169′ W. Marker is in Atlantic
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Marian McKnight (here, next to this marker); Marilyn Van Derbur (here, next to this marker); Sharon Ritchie (here, next to this marker); Lynda Mead (here, next to this marker); Lee Meriwether (here, next to this marker); Nancy Fleming (here, next to this marker); Maria Fletcher (here, next to this marker); Jacqueline Mayer (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlantic City.
Additional keywords. Jim Crow South, terrorism, lynching
Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 210 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 25, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
