*Mary Haywood Benson

Mary Haywood Benson was raised in Chicago and moved to Champaign in 1970. She worked at various jobs in the community, including the Commercial Bank for 5 years and Kraft Foods for 25 years.

Mary has an Associate Degree in General Studies and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administrations. In addition, she is certified as a bank teller. She retired from Kraft Foods on April 1, 2000. Currently, she works as a Tax Associate at H&R Block, and has held this position since 2017.

Ms. Benson is a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church and has served in many capacities, including Secretary and President. She has served as President of Lou Anna Riley Missionary Society and Secretary for the Lay Organization. She has also served as President of National Council of Negro Women Champaign County Section from 1995-1995, and currently serves as President of Church Women United of Champaign-Urbana. Other past community activities include serving on the Woman’s Fund Board, Y.W.C.A. Board, and volunteering with such organizations Joanne Dorsey Homes and Girls Inc., both of which work directly with young girls ages 10-12. She has also volunteered with United Way, the Steering Committee for Provena Hospice Celebration of Taste, and has delivered Meals on Wheels.

She is the mother of three children: Greta, Terence, and Boris; grandmother of five: Latrice, Zakryscha, Darrell, Delander and Eugenia; Great-Grandmother of three. Her favorite hobby is surfing the Web.

An * next to the name within bio denotes original charter members of the Champaign County Section of the National Council of Negro Women.