Support Women Artists Sunday: Mary Travers

On September 16th, Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary passed away. This Support Women Artists Sunday goes out to her. I respect her not only because Peter, Paul and Mary had some bangin tunes (seriously, who got through summer camp without a campfire sing-a-long of "I'm Leaving On a Jet Plane"...or who can forget when they found out Puff might not actually be a dragon?), but also because she took her art seriously enough to write about things that actually mattered. I wish more artists did so today. 

Mary Travers was an iconic folk singer, a dedicated activist, a writer and a poet, a mother, and, along with Peter Yarrow and Noel (Paul) Stookey, a member of perhaps the most influential folk music trio in American history.

Peter, Paul & Mary became famous for their ability to convey powerful personal and political messages through a repertoire of songs that became, for millions of Americans, an introduction to political awareness and activism in the movements born in the 60’s; movements for freedom, justice and social equity. For many, Peter, Paul & Mary became the soundtrack of their participation in an ongoing commitment to a progressive American vision of social equity, justice and freedom.

Mary Travers was born in November 1936, in Louisville, KY, but spent the majority of her childhood and teen years in New York City’s Greenwich Village, a crucible of creativity and progressive thought. She was an early member of the Village folk scene of the 50s, singing weekly at the Sunday afternoon folk music gatherings in Washington Square Park where the great folk artists of the day would congregate. 

The folk group, Peter, Paul & Mary, began with Mary and “the boys”, as she called them, in Noel Paul’s East Village apartment singing “Mary Had A Little Lamb” which launched what was to become an almost 50 year career arc. 

- Peter, Paul and Mary's website

I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane

Puff the Magic Dragon