Who Is Mary Jackson?

Melanie Sosa
PrideTime Reporter

A strong-minded woman who struggled through high school tells her story on how she got through her battles with the help of her husband, friends, and family.

Mary Jackson went through hard times like everyone else in high school. Looking back, her struggles remind her of how she got past it all.  “My biggest struggle was self-image and caring too much about what everyone else thought about me. When I met my husband, I realized not to worry about what others thought, but to only worry about being happy in my life and relationships.”

High school was tough for Jackson, but she met a core group of friends who helped her persevere and overcome the stress that kept her from moving forward with a positive outlook on herself and her life. Whenever Jackson needed advice or help getting through things, she turned to her closest friends, her husband, and her faith.​

In high school, she also had a great teacher who she confided in and greatly respected. Jackson’s teacher ended up becoming a priest and married her and her husband, later baptizing all her children.

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Her family has always been her number one priority. Her family inspires her to be better each and every day, giving her the motivation to keep going with her life. Jackson loves to take pictures of her husband and kids, hoping one day they can see everything that she worked for. “My family means the world to me.” She cares very deeply for her family and would do anything to see them happy. Jackson has 3 kids; a 10-year-old girl and twin boys that are 3 years old, all of whom she loves very much. 

Mary Jackson and her husband, Mark, have been together for 20 years and married for 12 years. They met one another their junior year of high school. Jackson went to Notre Dame in Fairfield. Meanwhile, Mark went to Norwalk High and they kept in touch through email.​

Jackson worked in the same school as her husband for a year until she got transferred to Brien McMahon. ”My first day at Roton, he embarrassed me by coming in the cafeteria and screaming my name, ​which made my face red." Her husband 

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always knew how to make her smile, even if it meant putting her on the spot. Both Mary and Mark Jackson always had a good connection. Since she works at a different school now, she doesn't see a change in her relationship with Mark. They both see each other every day and communicate well.

Mary Jackson is a well-organized person. She stays on top of things and is very consistent when it comes to work. “I like my job because it keeps me busy and it makes me want to keep things looking nice and fresh so that people can eat better.”

Working in a cafeteria makes you very aware of always keeping your space looking clean. Maintaining a healthy social and school lifestyle has always been important to Jackson. She's friends with and respects most of the people she works with. One thing, and really the only thing that bothers her about her job, is when people are rude. “Everyone has their bad days, but being mean to someone else doesn't help your day get any better.” Jackson always tries to make the best out of her day, even if her day seems like it's going downhill. She has found that it makes the day go by so much easier.
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Mary Jackson has fought through her biggest battles and continues every day for the sake of herself and the ones she loves. Her family will continue to push her to be the best she can be.

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