"Everyone can be great because everyone can serve." - Dr. Martin Luther King. 

My name is Mary Boton Warren. In September 1962, I was born to Dr. Linwood and Leola Bolton. I was reared on a farm with 19 siblings in the small town of McLain, Mississippi. Currently, I am married to Pastor Jerome Warren and live in Franklinton, Louisiana (Washington Parish. I am the proud mother of 3 beautiful ladies and the grandmother of 4 granddaughters and 2 grandsons. I am deeply involved with creating a positive culture for our youth and families in this community. In 1980 - after graduating from McLain High School, I attended Jones Community College in Ellisville, MS, then continued to pursue my Bachelor's Degree from Nicholls State University in Thiboudeaux, LA on basketball scholarship, majoring in physical education, recreation, and dance. My Master's of Educational Leadership was received from University of Southern Mississippi. 

 

I have always been interested in how I can contribute to the growth in my community. In 2001, I was elected as the first African-American and first female mayor of McLain, MS. During my time as mayor, I invested many resources in working with youth, families, farming, sports, and economic development. I was appointed by Governor Ronnie Musgrove to serve on various boards and secure millions of dollars in project funding for the advancement of the city. Of all my accomplishments, serving on the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service board created major opportunities and provided significant resources that aided in my advocacy for communities such as McLain facing economic disparities. I have also been a recipient of the Ambassador for Peace Award presented in Washington, D.C. 

 

My profession and career have been in sports. I've coached women's basketball for over 20 years from high school to collegiate level. It has been such a rewarding profession traveling to various Olympic games in Atlanta, Georgia and Sidney, Australia to support my sister Ruthie Bolton - a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, and watching the young ladies I've coached find success in their various careers. In this season of my life, I am strongly involved and committed to ministry- reaching out to under-served communities. My husband and I - through the church- provide multi-dimensional resources to the community. It is important to develop every dimension of their lives. I'm pleased to partner with the National Women in Ag Associations. As the chapter leader for Louisiana, we partner together to provide fresh veggies for our local community and engage the youth through farming education seminars. In the future, we hope to have a recovery site - a place of restoration from different disasters and trauma. 

 

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" Life is short. Eat dessert first." - A Wise 94 year-young woman