Born in 1890, Mary Carter graduated from Brenau University in 1906 with a teaching credential. Working first for the Augusta Herald, she transferred to the Augusta Chronicle in 1907 as the women’s editor and drama critic. Moving to the Atlanta Constitution, she became the first women reporter to cover the county courts. Her next assignment was as editor of the The Journal, a tri-weekly Atlanta Journal publication. In a hiatus from newspaper reporting, she married Roger Winter, an Atlanta Constitution newspaperman, noted for his exceptional coverage of the Leo Franks trial. At some point, three sons were born; Dr. Wallace E. Winter, Alexander C. Winter and Rodgers Winter. In this period, Mrs. Winter also worked on the publicity for Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s 1932 presidential campaign. Returning to reporting after World War II, she became the first woman reporter at the Augusta Chronicle assigned to news reporting rather than solely society reporting. In the final years of her career, she was a principle editorial writer. Mrs. Winter was active in many Augusta civic organizations such as the Forrest Hills DAR. The highlight of her civic involvement was the founding of the Richmond County Historical Society in 1946 and spearheading the Society’s fundraiser to purchase the Mackay House (Ezekiel Harris House) Anecdote has it that Mrs. Winter took up residence in the house until its renovation. Retiring from the Chronicle on March 1, 1960, she soon after suffered a stroke from which she never fully recovered. Mrs. Winter died in September 20, 1975 at the age of 85.

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