Mary Rogers 
Mary Rogers: Bidding 'Star-Telegram' readers farewell
Previous Columns
Mary Rogers
- Chefs give party planners plenty to chew on
- Rules of the road for nonprofit staffers, volunteers
- Tribute to parents opens door for a mother, her sons
- Journalist Katie Sherrod scores a truly divine award
- Fort Worth club continues its longstanding tradition
- The 7 Tactics of Highly Successful Benefit Party Leaders
- Let's get the party started with a winning invitation
- No caddy remarks, only fashion fun from golf crowd
- Charming little gardens are the perfect place to say 'I do'
- In Texas, pageant festivals promote a social way of life
- Jewel Charity new-members party gains exotic facet
- Red Oak Foundation brings kids under sturdy canopy
- Oklahoman visits museum named for Uncle Will's friend
- Surprise birthday party earns Fort Worth Opera nice gift
- Proposal may have been onstage, but he wasn't acting
- Fly ball transports partygoers to a magical destination
- Behind magic of Mayfest is army of talented volunteers
- Designer playhouses will be up for bids at the Fly Ball
I’ve had my share of complaints, angry letters and hateful phone messages, but on this night I realize that I haven’t saved a single stinging comment. Instead, I tucked away only positive reminders of my life as a journalist here.
The notes say thank you for the article about the Library Foundation’s party ... the Cattle Raisers … the opera … the ballet … the symphony … the Arts Council … the zoo … the Jewel Charity Ball … Special Olympics … the Warm Place.
Thank you for the story you wrote about my son … my friend … your mother … my mother. "Thank you for writing Daddy’s obituary."
When I was a cub reporter, I never imagined I’d win the Pulitzer Prize. I have earned some awards, but what I always wanted to do was write about people and the choices they make. I wanted to understand who they were to a community and why. I wanted to spin true tales. I longed to find stories about suffering and loss and the triumph of the human spirit.
How lucky I’ve been to be able to do that very thing for almost 19 years at the Star-Telegram. Oh yes, I’ve written hundreds and hundreds of columns about Fort Worth’s social scene. In those years it was called the "society column." I remember laughing at the idea of me and "society."
At least in my own mind I became a community reporter on the benefits beat. I was never ever an insider. I was always the girl with her nose pressed to the glass watching the party from the outside.
Early on, I even wrote a gossip column called Coffee Shop Talk. But the columns were always a way to pay my way so that I could write longer feature pieces. Sometimes I wrote about Fort Worth’s most recognizable benefactors. Sometimes the names were less well-known but the stories no less important. Sometimes I wrote a personal essay.
Now that columnist’s position has been eliminated, and suddenly I am forced to reinvent myself. It’s not what I wanted, but somehow I am energized and happy. I want to keep working. I have no idea what comes next, but I believe my best story is yet to come.
Today it’s my turn to say thank you.
I will never forget the people who bravely showed me their hearts. Thank you for trusting me to tell your stories.
I’ve been lucky to work with talented journalists, fine editors, designers, copy editors and photographers whose art, talent and encouragement inspired me and made my work even better. Thank you. I am richer for having worked with you and made you my friends.
But my writing life would not have been possible without the support of readers who watched for my column — and my byline. Thank you all.
