Mary Ann Carroll

Mary Ann Carroll was the only woman within the 26 member Florida Highwaymen. She is referred to as The First Lady of the Highwaymen and often referred to herself as a Highwaywoman. She was born in 1940 and had an early interest in art. Carroll met Harold Newton by encountering him painting on a sidewalk at the age of 16. By the age of 18 she was selling her paintings with the other Florida Highwaymen. She faced additional discrimination entering establishments during times of segregation as a woman but is said to have carried a pistol just in case a bad situation arose. Carroll had 7 children and went on to become a pastor but never stopped painting. She was invited to the First Lady’s Luncheon by First Lady, Michelle Obama in 2011. Carroll presented Michelle Obama a Royal Poinciana painting and was extremely joyous upon her return to Florida.