Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Trice.
Hi Mary, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story began in a place I never imagined it would—but it has become the foundation of the woman I am today.
I spent part of my childhood in foster care and was adopted at the age of 10. Growing up, I always felt like I was a different kind of child. I knew I was intelligent and capable, but I often learned to hide those qualities. I would downplay my intelligence and adjust who I was to fit into whatever environment I found myself in. In many ways, I was simply trying to find my place in the world.
As a young girl, I found joy in running track. It taught me discipline, endurance, and something I would later understand more deeply: you have to keep running, even when the finish line feels far away.
I eventually went to college, but I became a college dropout. At the time, I honestly didn’t know if I was going to accomplish much in life. I was on my own by the age of 19, trying to figure life out without a roadmap. I completed my own college applications and learned to depend on myself because I didn’t always have someone there to tell me what to do next.
At 22, I got married and became a mother to my first son. That chapter brought me tremendous love, but it also brought challenges I wasn’t prepared for. I didn’t have someone teaching me how to be a wife, how to navigate marriage, or how to balance all the responsibilities that came with adulthood and motherhood. There were moments when life became so difficult that giving up felt easier than continuing.
But I prayed.
And then I prayed some more.
My faith became the place where I found strength when I didn’t have the answers. Prayer helped me understand that struggling didn’t mean I was failing. Sometimes, it simply meant I was being stretched into the person I was meant to become.
Over the years, I began to realize that my past wasn’t something I needed to be ashamed of—it was part of my testimony. Being in foster care taught me resilience. Being independent taught me courage. Becoming a wife and mother taught me love, patience, forgiveness, and perseverance. Every difficult season added another layer to the woman I was becoming.
My experiences in foster care also gave me a passion for helping children who are walking a path similar to the one I once walked. My children became a major inspiration behind starting the Mary Trice Foster Care Foundation. As a mother, I know how much children need to feel loved, supported, seen, and encouraged. I want foster children to know that their circumstances do not have to determine their future. I want them to look at my story and believe that anything is possible.
My children have also become part of the foundation’s journey. My son, Derian, who is a senior in high school, helps me organize my events and is right there with me setting everything up. My daughters, Rose and Lily, help come up with games and even suggest food and activities they think would be fun and meaningful for the children. Watching my children participate in something that came from my own childhood experiences means more to me than I can put into words.
My husband has also been incredibly encouraging and supportive of the work I do. I truly could not do what I do without him, my children, and the people who believe in the mission.
And then there are my loyal and kind volunteers. EZ and Shernita, just to name a few, have given their time, energy, and hearts to help make these events possible. It takes a village, and I am incredibly grateful for every person who has stood beside me and helped bring this vision to life.
It has been about two years since I have held an event through the foundation, but I believe everything happens in its own time. I have something BIG coming up soon, and I can’t wait to share it. Stay tuned!
There was a time when I looked at my circumstances and wondered if I would ever have the kind of life I dreamed about. Today, I look back and realize I was never behind. I was being prepared.
I am proud of the woman I have become—not because my journey was easy, but because it wasn’t. I had to find my way without always having someone to show me the way. I had to learn how to believe in myself when I didn’t always see my own potential.
My story is proof that your beginning does not have to dictate your ending.
The little girl who once struggled to find where she belonged grew into a woman who understands her worth. The young woman who had to figure life out on her own became a wife, a mother, a successful professional, and a woman determined to use her story to help others.
I don’t believe my story is finished. I believe everything I’ve experienced has prepared me for something greater. And if my journey can inspire even one person who feels lost, overlooked, or uncertain about their future to keep going, then every difficult chapter was worth it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not been a smooth road at all. My childhood was filled with uncertainty. I moved from foster care to foster care, never knowing how long I would be in one place or what the next chapter would bring. Growing up without a father was another difficult part of my story, and there were many things I had to learn and process without having that guidance or support.
Those experiences were not easy, but they shaped me. They taught me how to be resilient, how to adapt, and how to keep going even when life felt uncertain. There were times when I didn’t understand why I had to experience so much at such a young age, but as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that those experiences helped build the strength and determination I carry today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m not really sure what I’m known for because I’ve never been someone who tries to create an image of myself or tell people who I am. I simply know the things I enjoy, the things I’m passionate about, and the things I’ve worked hard to accomplish.
Professionally, I know that I’m an excellent sales professional. I take tremendous pride in my career, my work ethic, my ability to connect with people, and the results I’ve been able to achieve. I’ve been blessed to receive many awards and recognitions throughout my career, and those accomplishments mean a lot to me because I know the consistency, dedication, and effort behind them.
But I also believe there is so much more to me than my career.
If I had to say what I specialize in outside of my profession, I would say I specialize in giving back to my community and being a voice and representation for foster children.
I’m the founder of the Mary Trice Foster Care Foundation 501 (c) in the Raleigh-Durham area, and the work we do to support and give back to foster children is something that is extremely close to my heart. Being able to use my experiences, my voice, my platform, and my resources to make a difference in the lives of children means more to me than any title or award ever could.
I specialize in strength.
I specialize in resilience.
I specialize in consistency.
I specialize in kindness.
I specialize in beauty.
I specialize in giving back.
I specialize in showing up.
And most importantly, I specialize in being a godly woman.
I’m not perfect, and I don’t claim to be. But I strive to walk in purpose, keep God at the center of my life, treat people with kindness, and leave a positive impact wherever I go.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’m a big believer in personal growth, so I’m always drawn to books and resources that focus on mindset, perseverance, faith, and becoming the best version of yourself. Some of the types of books I enjoy are motivational and personal-development books, especially those centered around overcoming adversity and turning difficult experiences into strength.
I also enjoy listening to motivational podcasts and messages that encourage me to stay focused, keep a positive mindset, and continue growing both personally and professionally. My faith is another major source of strength for me, and prayer is something I rely on daily.
I believe you have to constantly feed your mind with things that encourage you, challenge you, and remind you of what you’re capable of. For me, staying motivated isn’t just about reaching the next goal—it’s about continuing to grow along the way.
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