Who She Is

Whether you’ve read her columns in The Austin American Statesman, heard her commentary on KUT, Austin’s public radio station, or read her collection of essays, Finding Magic in the Mundane, you know that Mary Gordon Spence seamlessly and magically connects with readers and listeners everywhere. 

This writer, raconteur and former First Grade Valentine Queen grew up in a small Central Texas town where family storytelling and sing-alongs were everyday rituals. She’s had a lifetime of magic moments — from flashing Texas-based Secret Service Agents on an elevator and baptizing her father in a South Texas river to making best friends with every passenger on Southwest Airlines flight when she rolled on a case of Shiner Bock. 

Although she changed her major many times in college, she graduated with her class from The University of Texas at Austin and received an MA from La Universidad de las Americas in Puebla, Puebla, Mexico.

Mary Gordon (that's her double-first-name) has taught kindergarten to college, written Texas history materials, drafted legislation, directed statewide environmental programs and worked for a former president and has been a magazine editor.  Her storytelling, ukulele playing, wit and wisdom have been legendary throughout her career.

Mary Gordon is the mother of two way-above average adult children, and their way-above average spouses, and grandmother to the brilliant and talented William and Caroline.