Mary Semans
Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans | |
|---|---|
| Mayor Pro Tempore of Durham, North Carolina | |
| In office 1953–1955 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mary Duke Biddle February 21, 1920 New York City |
| Died | January 25, 2012 (aged 91) Duke University Hospital, Durham, North Carolina, U.S, |
| Spouse(s) | Josiah Charles Trent (1938–48) James Semans (1953–2005) |
| Children | Mary Trent Jones Sarah Trent Harris Rebecca Trent Kirkland Barbara Trent Kimbrell Jenny Semans Koortbojian James Duke Biddle Trent Semans Beth Semans Hubbard |
| Parent(s) | Anthony J. Drexel Biddle, Jr. Mary Duke Biddle |
| Relatives | Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle, Sr. (grandfather) Benjamin Newton Duke (grandfather) Washington Duke (great-grandfather) |
| Alma mater | Duke University (A.B. 1939) |
| Known for | Philanthropy |
Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans (February 21, 1920 – January 25, 2012) was an American heiress, activist, politician, and philanthropist. She was the granddaughter of Benjamin N. Duke and the great-granddaughter of Washington Duke, both tobacco and energy tycoons who helped start Duke University. Semans supported the arts and humanities through various philanthropic entities. She was a dedicated civil rights activist, and ran for the Durham City Council on a platform dedicated to increasing voter registration among African-Americans. She was the first woman to serve as mayor pro tempore of Durham.