Mary McCarthy is a sixth-generation woman of African descent. A writer, educator, and historian, she is dedicated to preserving the histories of Black New Brunswickers. McCarthy holds a PhD from the University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, where her scholarly research focused on segregated and forgotten graveyards in New Brunswick. Dr. McCarthy has been featured in Chatelaine as one of "33 Black Canadians Making Change Now" for her work identifying systemic and anti-Black racism. She was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters from St. Thomas University in Fredericton for her social justice work in May 2022. Dr. McCarthy is the director of REACH in New Brunswick an organization dedicated to preserving Black history and graves.