Mary Mason began her broadcast career as a gospel music host in 1958. The station? WHAT 1340 AM, where she serves Philadelphia listeners to this day. Her strong rapport with musical performers and the radio audience alike built Mary's reputation quickly. Even in the early days she practiced what she preached, working to improve her community by raising thousands of dollars to support local churches and meet the needs of church members.

In 1962 Mary Mason pioneered a now-common radio outreach concept by providing food for the needy on Thanksgiving Day. She opened the doors of B.M. Oakley Church to any who were "not invited to dinner", and led the way by serving meals throughout the day to any and all in need.

Mary Mason's talk show first hit the airwaves in 1970. "Mornings With Mary" strengthened an already-vibrant bond between Mary and the radio listeners of the Philadelphia community as her advice and opinions were sought on every imaginable topic, from the personal to the international.

People call Mary Mason "influential". If that's the case, says Mary, it is due to her loyal listening audience. In the political arena her opinions and support are sought by aspiring candidates at every level. During a visit to Philadelphia in 1993 President Bill Clinton made a guest appearance on only one Philadelphia radio program -- "Mornings With Mary" on WHAT, of course. Later that same year Mr. Clinton did a live call-in to one Pennsylvania radio station to discuss the issues of the day. The number he dialed, like others before him and after him, was Mary Mason's. In 1994 she was selected to join Nelson Mandela, F.W. DeKlerk and President Clinton on stage in Philadelphia as representative for the African-American community at the presentation of Mr. Mandela's Liberty Medal.

She is a household name in Philadelphia, known to multiple generations of radio listeners for her promotion of worthy causes. In 1981 Mary took her ideas of involvement and action to the next level and formed the Mary Mason Community Foundation, a clearinghouse for corporate, foundation and individual donations to worthwhile organizations throughout the Philadelphia area. She has worked for Catholic Charities, B'Nai Brith, NAACP, OIC and many, many more, and has served since 1995 as a member of the Fairmount Park Commission.