Meet Our New Mayor
MARY THOMAS MATHIS By Cheryl Johnston
After twelve years as a Plant City Commissioner, Mary Yvette Thomas Mathis is thrilled with her new opportunity to serve as Mayor. Prior to this term, the lifelong resident was appointed four times as Vice Mayor during her twelve years of City Commission service. On June 10, 2013, she became the second female to hold the office of mayor. Sadye Gibbs Martin, who ultimately served five terms, was the first. Faith, family and service to others are core values in the educator’s life. A former Business and Professional Women’s “Young Career Woman of the Year,” Mathis works as Assistant Principal for Curriculum at Marshall Middle School. The 28-year employee of Hillsborough County Public Schools encouraged recently, “I want local citizens to know that I will represent them well. I want to thank them for the support shown to me over the years.” We’re pleased this month to offer Focus readers a peek into our new mayor’s life and her hopes for this first year in office. Focus: Congratulations, Mayor Mathis! Will you describe your family and early history here? Mathis: My parents loved serving others. My mother, Emma Bennett Thomas, became a kindergarten teacher after graduating from USF in 1975, the same year I graduated as a member of the first class at the current PCHS. My father, Willie Thomas, Jr., was a caterer who loved making people happy through Southern cooking, BBQ, and hospitality. I was born in the Morrell Wing at Lakeland Regional Hospital, where mother’s doctor, James Johnson, was affiliated during the time of segregation. I grew up with my family in our home on Haines Street, which is now Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. My oldest brother practices law in Atlanta and the youngest is an environmental engineer with Georgia Pacific. Our sister, also an educator, is an ESE specialist in Jacksonville.
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In high school I was involved with the Lionettes, played basketball and was a dancerette for the band. I remember the year we performed in San Antonio’s Festival of Flowers in Texas. We took a boat ride on the river and attended an Astros baseball game. I also JULY 2013 focusplantcity.com