Mae Virginia Cowdery

Background

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, her mother was a social worker and an assistant director of the Bureau for Colored Children (later the Bureau for Child Care). Her father was a caterer and postal worker, Lemuel Cowdery.

Career

Cowdery discovered her talent for poetry as a child. Three of her poems were published in Black Opals, a local Philadelphia Journal.

Achievements

• In a poetry contest sponsored by The Crisis, her poem "Longings" won first place.