Mary Ann Byron

Mary is one of eight children, born and raised in northwest Minnesota. She specializes in public relations, which takes her all over the world. After her first diplomatic assignment in Cape Town, she wrote her memoir "NO ORDINARY LIFE: Awakenings in the Final Days of Apartheid" based on her overseas assignment,1992-1994, in South Africa.

She worked as a Community Liaison Officer and U.S. AID Project Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Cape Town, while on assignment with her husband, a Special Agent with the U.S. State Department. They worked with Ambassador Princton Lyman during the end of apartheid leading up to the first democratic elections, when Nelson Mandela was elected President. Since her Foreign Service experience in South Africa, Mary has written and spoke openly about her personal stories of this tumultuous and life-changing period.

An independent author and award-winning screenwriter, Mary focuses on her international diplomatic experiences and draws on her passion for travel, wildlife, human rights and women’s issues to create notable stories worth sharing. She has lived in a dozen locations around the world, including U.S. Embassy assignments in Switzerland and Malta which she is currently writing about to complete the trilogy series. Currently, she resides in Colorado with her husband Patrick and their adopted pets.

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Reviews:

"Great read about an American woman’s journey at the end of apartheid. This is a gripping insiders account of a moment in time. Reading this book puts you in the center of the action. Mary’s journey as a newlywed and fish out of water in the 2 years leading to the end of apartheid in South Africa is compelling. She takes you on a historical and emotional roller coaster as she shares her story of her experience in the foreign service and America’s role in ending apartheid." - A. Baron, Filmmaker, Presenter, Executive Producer

"Amazing story to hear from an American insider. As an American in my 30's during the end of apartheid , I never fully understood what was happening in South Africa. This book gives an insider view as to what it was to witness the painful ending, to see the hope and the agony of the transition, and to understand what apartheid really was. It's a wonderful, exciting read. It is also fascinating to read about life in the Foreign Service." - D. Vaccaro

"Fascinating and compelling. A real gem. I met the author and was fascinated by her story. The book is one I kept wanting to come back to." - Vince Poscente, Author, Olympian

"A unique perspective wonderfully written, of a world changing period of history. Mary gives us a finely drawn picture of one of the most decisive and important periods in modern history. She colors it in with snapshots of her own inner life. The effect is a complete picture from one women's very unique perspective as a wife and US embassy employee during the final days of apartheid. I was completely engaged in her story. Mary, congratulations." - J. Weaver, Author

"No Ordinary Life: Awakenings in the Final Days of Apartheid" is the first in the trilogy series. As a freelance writer and author, she shares updates and stories of travel and adventure on her website and through social media blogging.

Enjoy the journey!

Mary