In 2013, Mary Thomas Mathis became the second African-American woman to be appointed as Plant City’s mayor. She was groomed for this by the first — Sadye Gibbs Martin.
The corner of Warnell and Martin Luther King Streets was crawling with activity. A group of women buzzed around tables set up outside St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church. Clothes stacked up high on the table for a charity drive.
Have you seen Mrs. Mathis?
“Oh she’s over there at that house, probably,” one responded.
She began to explain the cluster of homes situated across the street had belonged to Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis’ family for generations.
There was no question this was the origin of one of the most powerful women in Plant City.
The neighborhood knew her.
But not like the city did.
Sure, they knew Mathis as their mayor. But they also knew her as a friend, as a daughter, as a child.
BACK TO HER ROOTS
Mathis grew up in the bubble east of downtown. She played in the field next to the group of houses that served as the family’s compound. The neighborhood kids gathered to run and roughhouse, while her family sat watching from their front porch.
But, it was church and family that served as the center of her life. Mathis grew up going to St. Luke Missionary Baptist and credits much of her success to her faith.
“We were part of the community,” Mathis said. “That was the focal point of our lives — family and church.”
Mathis sits relaxed in a chair across from church elder Larry Sykes’ desk, wearing her signature red color.
“Her roots are here,” Sykes said. “One thing you might not know about her is that she plays piano.”
Sykes goes on to say she played in Sunday school. Then, he continues to gush about the public figure.
“She’s a great speaker, she’s articulate,” he said. “She’s been very active. She makes a big difference in the lives of young people.”
“It’s not all about me,” she said, playfully arguing back. “I didn’t get to where I’ve been without so many others.”
He laughs and shakes his head. The mayor wants no credit. But, as her friend, Sykes knows she deserves some.
They go on to discuss childhood memories, family and most importantly, school. Both their families had gone on to higher education. There was no option for Mathis when it came to college: She was going.
Every summer, she visited her uncle’s summer camp for children in New York.
“He made it clear that education was part of our lives,” Mathis said. “It wasn’t a choice.”
Mathis excelled at Plant City High School, where she was a basketball player, Civinette and dancerette with the band.
Fourteen years younger than her older brother, Mathis still followed in his footsteps. She went to his alma mater, Clark College, now known as Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta. She received in 1980, a history degree, with a minor in in education.
“If you don’t know where you come from, then you don’t know where you’re going,” Mathis said about her love of history.
Little did she know that she would be shaping Plant City’s history years later.
PASSING THE TORCH
Mathis began working in area sales right out of college. But, her love for kids soon enticed her to sub at area middle schools. Within semesters, Mathis had landed a full-time job teaching. She taught at Turkey Creek, Tomlin and Marshall middle schools.
But, she wanted more.
Deciding to seek out the wisdom of Sadye Gibbs Martin, Mathis paid a visit to her house.
Martin and Mathis had known each other for years. Martin was Mathis’ first-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary. From then on, Martin was able to watch Mathis flourish into a capable woman.
Because Martin had moved up in her career from a teacher to a principal, Mathis wanted to ask her about the path to administration. But, during her education career, Martin also served as a city commissioner and mayor for five terms.
Something in Mathis sparked interest with Martin. Whether she knew at the time if she was sick with cancer or not, Martin chose Mathis to shape into her predecessor. She invited Mathis to several high-profile events in Plant City. One was an exclusive dinner for the changing of the Florida Strawberry Festival presidents. With Martin’s blessing, Mathis ran for the City Commission in 2000. She won by seven votes.
“It was very, very intense,” Mathis said.
SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE
Mathis calls herself a servant of the people. It’s the people Mathis loves most about being on the City Commission.
From her rookie days on the commission, Mathis has served for 13 years and became the second African-American woman to sit in the mayor’s chair, being voted in last year.
“I’m honored,” Mathis said. “Even though I’m an African-American woman, I don’t look at it like that. I’m a person in this community who can sit and serve as mayor.”
Currently, she’s looking forward to the progress of Midtown, a section of barren land south of Historic Downtown. She’s also interested in working towards a public pool or splash park area. Potential plans for Midtown have a splash park placed in a large green area that would serve as a park.
THE FUTURE
Mathis has completed 29 years of working in education. She currently serves as assistant principal of curriculum at Marshall Middle School.
“I take that very seriously,” Mathis said. “I want to be as perfect as I can. On the first day of school, I want everyone to have a schedule with the right classes.”
Besides her faith, she credits her husband, Tony, for his loving support.
“At commission meetings, I can look out in the audience and see him there smiling and supporting me,” she said.
At 30 years, many educators retire, but Mathis isn’t sure if she’s ready quite yet. She also takes each commission term one term at a time.
“I’m really enjoying this part of my life,” Mathis said. “I’m in a good place. A good place with my love life and a good place in my careers.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.