East Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Mary Beth Pyron

Inducted 2022

— City of Florence Walk of Honor —

Mary Beth Pyron Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, March 26, 2023

1. Mary Beth Pyron Marker

Inscription. Born with spina bifida, Mary Beth Pyron was named the National Poster Child for the March of Dimes in 1959. Later, she and he mother traveled throughout the country in behalf of children born with disabilities.

Erected 2022 by City of Florence.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 2022.

Location. 34° 48.371′ N, 87° 37.884′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. It is in East Florence. It is on Hightower Place. Beginning with marker one, this marker is on pole 18 Left side. It is one of 18 poles each has four sides that is located behind the Marriott Hotel in River Heritage Park. Beyond trees out of site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 Hightower Pl, Florence AL 35630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama

and in the Shoals.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dr. Amit Roy (here, next to this marker); Dr. William R. ("Bill") Strong (here, next to this marker); Lt. Col. R. Edward Yeilding (here, next to this marker); James Jackson (here, next to this marker); Rear Adm. John Murray Hood (here, next to this marker); Thomas Sigismund Stribling (here, next to this marker); Lynn Middleton Sibley (here, next to this marker); Rear Admiral Fran McKee

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(here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Also see . . .
1. The Gateway to Oklahoma History. hotograph used for a story in the Oklahoma Times newspaper. Caption: "POSTER CHILD for the New March of Dimes for 1960 is Mary Beth Pyron." (Submitted on March 26, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

2. four Honored at 2022 Florence Walk of Honor. MARY BETH PYRON Mary Beth Pyron was born February 9, 1957, to Norma Clare and Tonny Pyron. Though born with spina bifida, she graduated from Bradshaw High School and worked from her wheelchair for seventeen years as a heart monitor technician at ECM Hospital. As a youngster, she became the national poster child for the March of Dimes. After the cure for polio occurred, she was the first poster child for children with birth defects. She and her mother traveled the country helping to raise awareness for children born with disabilities. (Submitted on March 26, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, May 29, 2025

2. Mary Beth Pyron Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 12 times this year. Last updated on May 28, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. Photos: 1. submitted on March 26, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2. submitted on May 30, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.