Radio & Music News Weekly
Mary Mason Influential Philadelphia Broadcaster Dies At 94
PHILADELPHIA radio Talk Show veteran MARY MASON (BEATRICE TURNER,) passed away last THURSDAY (7/25) at the age of 94. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2010. From that point on she was never the same again.
MASON kicked-off her career in 1958 at WHAT as a gospel music air personality. She launched her long running talk show “MORNINGS WITH MARY” in 1970. MASON interviewed many politicians, entertainers, and community leaders, locally, statewide, and nationally. That list included DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., MUHAMMAD ALI, and OPRAH WINFREY.
She was credited for being a huge influence in helping to advance opportunities for women and minorities in PHILADELPHIA radio. When her listeners needed assistance, she was known to help others in need by providing housing, financial aid for food, and college tuition.
MASON led radio telethons for the late Rev. LEON SULLIVAN during the 70s through the 90s. She was also instrumental in the election of PHILDELPHIA’s first African American Mayor W. WILSON GOODE in 1984.
Her many accomplishments and honors included EVP/NATIONAL BLACK MEDIA COALITION, national Board member of the MARTIN LUTHER KING FOUNDATION FOR NON-VIOLENCE, founding member of the BLACK MUSIC ASSOCIATION, and in 1992 she was one of the inaugural honorees to be recognized by LIVING LEGENDS FOUNDATION Inc Awards.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
ABC Action News/Philadelphia Feature Report
Listen to Mary Mason’s soundcheck here.