Mary Ward was born in Philadelphia in 1911.  She was one of the first individuals to respond to the classes offered at the Southwest Community Enrichment Center in S.W. Philadelphia.  Best known for her musical ability "Little Mary" was also quite a painter.  Ward's images have an exuberant sense of rhythm and highly keyed color.  A mild stroke in the early 1980's confined her to Kingsessing where she was affectionately known as the "heart of the neighborhood".  (bio. from Southwest Community Enrichment Center).  Her work was exhibited in the show "Saying it Plain" at the Moore College Art Gallery in Philadelphia, from May 25 – August 12, 1994 ​​​​​, as well as exhibits at the Esther M. Klein Gallery in Philadelphia in 2003 and before.