Mary L. Woods, the daughter of Fannie Harris Counts and Frank McClouds Jr., was born at Daytona Beach, Florida.  She received her Master's degree in Education from Barry University in 1973, after graduating from Bethume Cookman University (then Bethume Cookman College) with a BA of Arts degree.  She also received a Special Diploma in Supervision and Administration in Education from the University of Florida in Gainsville in 1976, and studied Human Relations in Organization at University of Miami and Women in Management at Miami Dade Community College.  Mary L. Woods taught 2, 4, 5, and 6 graders for the Dade County Public School system as a teacher, specialist and Assistant Principal beginning in 1962 and was nominated twice as “Teacher of the Year”. She also taught adult education.

1976    Member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Gamma Delta Sigma Chapter

1978    Member of Bethune Cookman College National Alumi Association

1978-80  Co-chairperson to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. “Buds of Springs"

1980    Received “Thank you Letter” from President Jimmy Carter

1980    Successfully ran for Dade County Executive Committee District No.2, served 2 yrs

1980    Awarded “Outstanding Women Award” by Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Gamma Chapter

1980    Recognized by the Black Coalition of Concerned Citizen for successfully conducting Voter Registration Drive

1982    Submitted her candidacy for State Representative Democratic District 108

1982    Nominated for the Veteran of Foreign Wars “Felix McCool Educators Awards"

1982    Member of the Big Brothers Big Sister of Greater Miami

1982    Race for State House Seat 108 reported in D.R.D Enterprise, Inc., Miami Times, Miami Courier, Hialeah Community Newspaper, Carol City Opa-Locka Miami Community Newspaper, Women’s Forum of the Local State and Daytona Times, Inc.

1982    Miami Times reports Woods support of Willie Logan for State Representative House 108

1982    Endorses Clinton Brown’s candidacy for Dade County School Board seat, District 2

1983    Miami Dade Community College participant of “The People Issues Conference”

1983    Certificate of Appreciation from the Circuit Court of the State of Florida Eleventh Judicial Circuit Dade County by    Judge Arthur Maginnis

1983    Received the City of Opa-Locka Commendation by Mayor Helen L. Miller

1984    Community Busines Co-up Certificate of Recognition

1984    United Negro College Fund Group Leader

1985    Dade County Public School Certificate of Appreciation for “Coordinator 5th Employment Expo/Job Fair”

1986    Receives “Outstanding Community Service” by Mayor Raul L. Martinez

1986    Receives certification from the Office of Minority Business Development for Mary’s Thing “N” Such, Inc.

1989    Dade County Public School/University of Miami Invitational Workshop “Writing Institute”

1992    Recognition for Teacher’s Appreciation Week