Mary Travers

In 1960, in a small, fifth-floor walk-up on the Lower East Side of New York City, we, along with singer Mary Travers, explored the musical boundaries of a nursery rhyme, “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” in search of a vocal blend. What we–the members of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary–found instead was rapport, affection and a calling that lasted nearly 50 years.

To the public, Mary, who died Sept. 16 at 72, was known for being charismatic, indomitable and beautiful. A Kentucky native raised amid the blossoming folk-music scene of Greenwich Village, she inspired us to confront the disgrace of racial segregation and injustice, to halt an immoral war in Vietnam and to right much of the historical inequity between men and women. Many of the songs she sang, including “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “If I Had a Hammer,” became anthems for a decade of change.

But Mary was more than that. To us, she was a sister, a friend, a confidante and a superb creative partner. She was also vulnerable, flawed and, like us, struggling to overcome fear and self-doubt. But she never shied away from standing up for what she believed in.

During her battle with leukemia over the past six months, Mary became an ever greater source of spiritual strength and courage. She never complained or asked for sympathy despite her suffering, and she passed with the greatest dignity. The world Mary touched has poured out its love and sadness at her passing–as do we, for our remarkable, beloved friend and companion in song.