Mary Chavoustie first saw The Texian through a storefront window in downtown Conroe, while searching for a small town story. The native Texan and travel writer soon discovered she would be sharing something much larger. She considers it an honor to join the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Flag Foundation which has given her an even greater opportunity to ensure the story of The Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park and Texas’s fight for independence will be shared across the globe.
Mary’s freelance writing couples with her “day job” working with Quantum Sur, a Houston-based marketing communication company, where she serves as Publications Coordinator and Ad Sales for the Houston Bar Association’s award-winning magazine The Houston Lawyer. As an honors graduate in English from St. Edward’s University in Austin, she has proudly given back to her alma mater by serving three terms on the Alumni Board and assisting with College Night recruitment in the Houston area.
Mary’s love of writing has allowed her to contribute to many varied publications. Since June 2002, she has served as editor for the Midtown Paper, an entertaining and informative publication distributed within the ever-growing Midtown area of Houston. As Editor, she has the opportunity to interact with some of the city’s finest chefs, sommeliers, artists, gallery owners and non-profit directors. Her love of color and design opened the door to write for the popular magazine, Houston House & Home where she has shared home furnishing, remodel and design ideas with thousands of readers. Mary’s works are also included in four Chicken Soup series as well as two Guidepost Exclusive Series. Her literary contribution “Listen to the Voices” is included in the book Women Forged in Fire and tells of her own early struggles accepting a diagnosis of systemic lupus.
The writer is proud of her ongoing established relationships with Convention & Visitor Bureaus throughout the U.S. She was a monthly contributor to ExpressLane Magazine, the inflight magazine for Express Jet airlines. Additional credits include Texas Monthly, Houston Official Visitors Guides, AAA Texas & New Mexico Journey, Texas Co-Op Power and numerous others. Her photography has appeared in various travel guides and online photo libraries as well as on the walls of a Texas Welcome Center. She considers her shared interviews and photographs of such colorful figures as Kinky Friedman, Clint Black and Dan Rather very special.
Mary recently served on the Board of Directors for Brilliant Lecture Series, an organization that continues to provide a relaxed Q & A setting in Houston for international leaders, celebrities and humanitarians.
Mary’s passion for those overcoming adversities led to her interest and current position as an Advisory Board Member for St. Joseph House/Magnificat House, Inc., a psyco-social rehabilitation center which helps those with persistent mental illness to restore their self-esteem and, ultimately, re-enter the job market. The Salvation Army Family Residence also holds a special place in her heart as she frequently visits to photograph mothers and their children.
Mary along with her husband Don, son Eric and rescue dog Isabella reside in Houston, enjoying the energy of the big city as well as the tranquility of country weekends at their property in Round Top, Texas.
