Mary Haywood Benson was raised in Chicago and moved to Champaign
in 1970. She worked at various jobs in the community including
the Commercial Bank for 5 years and Kraft Foods for 25 years.
She retired on April 1, 2000. Mary has an Associate Degree in
General Studies and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administrations.
In addition, she is certified as a bank teller.
Ms. Benson is a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church and has served
in many capacities, currently as President of the Lou Anna Riley
Missionary Society and Secretary for the Lay Organization. She
is the mother of three children: Greta, Terence, and Boris; grandmother
of five: Latrice, Zakryscha, Darrell, Delander and Eugenia; Great-Grandmother
of two: Derrion and Talaysia. Her favorite hobby is surfing the
Web.
Mary Benson served as President of NCNW from 1992-1995 and started
the Festival of Cultures event.
Mary
Haywood Benson