Meet Your ANC Candidate: Mary Beth Ray, 3F03

Absentee voting began this week, and early, in-person voting starts on October 22nd. As you prepare to mark your ballots, whether it’s now or on November 6th, be sure to read up on your candidate (or candidates) for ANC commissioner.

This week, we present the statements of the ANC 3F candidates who responded to our request to tell us about themselves. And we invite you to a meet-and-greet we are hosting for the candidates on Sunday, October 21st from 2-4 p.m. at the Methodist Home.

Why vote? Your ANC commissioner is your go-to person if you are concerned about the condition of your sidewalks, or pedestrian safety, or if you’d like to see more (or fewer) outdoor cafes on Connecticut Avenue, or music in restaurants on the weekends. Read more about what they do.

Mary Beth Ray is running for election in ANC 3F03. She is unopposed. Here is her statement:

I am excited and honored to be your ANC candidate, and I hope to earn your support and your vote.

We moved to Washington 22 years ago, and we have loved raising our family in Forest Hills for over 10 years. A New Orleans native, I graduated from Vanderbilt (BA 1981) and LSU (JD 1986). I practiced law in Louisiana, married Sheldon, then moved to Hong Kong where I did legal consulting. In 1990 I joined MCI, handling litigation, negotiation, real estate and business matters.

I retired in 1999 and plunged into volunteer work. I tutored in a DC public school, chaired Flower Mart, and wrote book reviews for the Diane Rehm Show. I serve on the Cathedral Garden Committee and All Hallows Guild board. At Georgetown Presbyterian Church, I help with our winter homeless shelter, organize youth and yoga classes, and co-chair fundraisers benefitting local and international charities. I’ve served as a Deacon,
Elder and Trustee. I volunteer at my children’s schools. Our children, now 19 and 14, have loved their Forest Hills childhoods, especially hikes and scavenger hunts through Soapstone Valley.

We chose Forest Hills because of its natural beauty, proximity to the Metro and Rock Creek Park, low crime, and interesting neighbors. My ANC goals are to:

all through positive relationships with city leaders, agencies, nonprofits and neighbors. I am eager to listen and lead, work with fellow Commissioners, build consensus, and communicate progress using community events, the Forest Hills Connection, email and Facebook. Thank you for giving me a chance to make a great
neighborhood even greater!

ANC 3F03

Previously: ANC 3F01 candidate Adam Tope. Coming Wednesday: ANC 3F04 candidate Sally Gresham. Thursday: ANC 3F05 candidates Manolis Priniotakis and Meg Rosan. Friday: ANC 3F06 candidate David Solorzano Lowell and ANC 3F07 candidate Bob Summersgill. Not sure of your district, or who is running? Go to RunForANC.com to find out.