Dr. Mary Shy Scott, the first of three children, was born and raised in Atlanta Georgia to Robert Shy and Flora Spearman Shy. She enrolled at Spelman College where she graduated with her B.A. Degree, and in 1953 was initiated into the Kappa Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She subsequently earned her M.A. Degree from New York University and completed post-graduate work in humanities at both New York and Georgia State Universities where she became certified in supervision and administration. Additionally, she was awarded her Doctor of Humane Letters in 1990 by the Trustee Board of Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama.

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From 1982 until 1984, Dr. Scott served as the Regional Director of the South Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. which includes the states of Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia. In 1986, she became the sorority’s First Anti-Basileus Elect, and in 1990 was installed as the 23rd International President. In this capacity, she expertly used her position to continue to make the world a much better place for all of us. She completed a $4 million building project for the sorority's International Headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, and received a $15.5 million contract from the U.S. Department of Labor to operate the Cleveland Job Corps Center, which offers youths age 16-21 training in alternative programs for education. She capitalized at $1 million on the sorority's Educational Advancement Foundation which annually awards more than $100,000 in scholarships. In 1991, she led a delegation to Honolulu, Hawaii to both install and dedicate the first non-military commemorative plaque honoring unsung WWII hero Doris Miller at Pearl Harbor.

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In addition to her leadership roles in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Dr. Scott worked as an educator, elementary school music specialist, and motivational speaker. She was a contributor to the “Atlanta Public Schools Music Guide,” director of the Choral and Dance Ensembles in Atlanta, and served as the supervising teacher for graduating seniors.

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Her accolades, accomplishments, and recognitions include 37 citations and awards, 42 keys to cities, and 58 proclamations. She was awarded the OUIDAH 1992 Award for lifetime achievement and the Prominent American Personality award by the President of the Republic of Benin in West Africa, and in 2004 was awarded the Atlanta Hall of Fame recognition by the Imperial Court, Daughters of Isis. She is listed in the 2005 and 2006 editions of Who’s Who in Black Atlanta and is listed in “The History Makers,” one of the world’s largest archives of internationally recognized African American video and oral histories. Her numerous collections for public use include those housed in the Springham Center, Howard University, Washington, D.C. and the Archival Presentation Papers and Historical Materials, Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American History in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Scott served on the Boards of numerous internationally known organizations such as the African Development Foundation, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, United Negro College Fund, and the National Advisory Board- Success Guide and AOIP. She held memberships with the International Platform Association, NAACP (Life Member), Urban League, LINKS, Inc., and the National Alumnae Association, Spelman College.

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As an extremely devoted wife and mother, Mary Shy Scott was married for over 62 beautiful years to Alfred Scott, Sr. She is survived by her husband, daughter Alfredene Scott Benton, sons Arthur Scott and Alfred Scott, Jr., 10 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.