Ward, May Williams

Mary Esma Williams, known as May, was born January 26, 1882. At age sixteen May graduated from Osawatomie High School with the distinction of valedictorian. In 1905 she graduated from the State University of Kansas in Lawrence, with a degree in mathematics.

May was married and moved to Lamar, Colorado. May won second prize in the Colorado Federation of Women's Clubs poetry contest for her poem entitled "Night in a Prairie Town." Urged by others to submit her poetry for publication, May sent three poems to Life magazine, one of which was accepted and printed in the February 17, 1921, issue ("Youth Wants Summer"). This marked the beginning of her literary career which spanned fifty years.

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