Mary B. is still all she can be

Meet Mary Boyer Smith -- Mary B. to her friends. She wraps her hand around yours so firmly, it surprises you -- because she's 93, and her handshake is 20.
Mary B's firm, calm grip is the mirror of her life, a life marked by achievement.
From her volunteer seat at the counter of Park Vista in Youngstown, Mary B. greets her co-residents and chats with them. She has lived at the retirement community for the past four years.
Mary B. is happy to recount her accomplishments, but she doesn't brag about them. Heaven knows, she could.
A full, busy lifeat Youngstown College
Mary B. was a biology professor and admissions counselor at Youngstown College in 1939, was promoted to registrar, then dean of admission and records. She was married to a YSU dean, Dr. Joseph Smith. Mary B. became the director of planning and placement. For a time, she was the head of Youngstown College's Physical Education Department. She contributed to the college, then university, for more than 40 years.
Mary B. was president of the Youngstown Federation of Women's Clubs, an umbrella for more than 30 women's clubs. She was chairwoman of the First Christian Church board and a YWCA president.
In later years, she was presented a doctor of humanities degree (nominated by her friends), inducted into the YSU Athletics Hall of Fame and presented a Lifetime Leadership Award by her alma mater, Hiram College. Three years ago, the YWCA named her one of their Women of the Year, and she became "Penguin of the Year."
When asked to describe herself, she said, "I'm fond of people. ... Friends and organizations are important to me."
She was goodat twisting arms
Mary B. came to Youngstown College in 1939, and started badgering the president about getting a gymnasium. It was the first success in a long history of what Mary B. calls "twisting arms and getting people to do things." "We had all the physical education classes at the YMCA and YWCA," she recalled. Until, that is, her badgering worked. The president revealed a check for $1 million from a donor.
"I think people hesitate to take leadership roles," she said, "and I think I overdo it."
She may be right. Mary B. was a past program director and vice president of the American Association of University Women, as well as on the board of the Protestant Campus Ministries. Even now, as she settles into her 10th decade of life, a "retirement" community resident, she is president of the United Nations, Youngstown Chapter, and on the board of the League of Women Voters. She is also a member of the Altrusa Sisters, a philanthropic group.
Mary B. seems to have the energy she displayed on the basketball court from 1928 to 1942 when she played semipro for a women's team out of Warren.
She has one additional claim to fame. When YSU's penguins -- the real, live bird mascots, that is -- needed a home one weekend, she and Joe took them in.
Now, bedecked in blue jeans, socks, sandals and a long-sleeved purple shirt, and with pink nails and blonde hair, Mary B. still projects a spark. Pneumonia curtailed her participation in the church choir last year, but, as she said, "I was blessed with good Welsh genes." And perhaps, a good Welsh upbringing.
The farm girldid what was needed
Born in Pittsburgh, reared in Cortland, Mary B. was a "farm girl who rode horses bareback." She was not driven to achieve, but rather, as any person raised on a farm, "just did what needed to get done." Being active in her church and Sunday school gave her direction. And so did the basic economics of having three brothers. "My brothers were all younger than I and hot on my heels," she said. "I was busy working and getting scholarships to go through Hiram before they reached college age."
These days, Mary B. has no predetermined arms to twist, but rather does "what I can to help the community," she said. "At my age, I like to see good things happen." At her age, she's still making them happen.
murphy@vindy.com