Mary Ann Santos enrolled at Mercer University in 2015 as a single parent who wanted to give her two children a better life. Now with two degrees under her belt and a third in progress, she will soon take office as the new representative for Georgia House District 117, where she hopes to empower others and support legislation that changes lives. She is the first Latina from Henry County to be elected to the Georgia General Assembly.
Santos began her judicial career working in a probation office nearly 20 years ago. She set personal goals to challenge herself as she took on various local government jobs — including court clerk, legal assistant in the prosecutor’s office, and legal office administrator — gaining experience and insight into the justice system along the way.
“At a pivotal moment in my life as a newly single mother, I knew I needed to create a better future for my children,” Santos said. “Inspired by lawyers at my workplace that made a difference, I made the decision to work towards becoming a lawyer.”
Mercer’s options for working adults were a perfect fit for her needs, allowing her to work full time during the day and attend night classes at the Henry County Regional Academic Center in McDonough, where she lives. In 2018, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Professional Advancement’s criminal justice leadership program.
“The professors were experts in their fields, and some actively worked in them. I felt they invested in my success,” said Santos, a first-generation college student and the daughter of immigrant parents. “The student support services were also a huge asset; they provided me with resources to help me navigate school and life. I made lifelong friends, and I feel grateful that I was afforded such a wonderful experience, which prepared me for advancement in my career.”
Two years later, she completed her Master of Public Administration at Clayton State University, and she is currently a first-year law student at John Marshall Law School.
“I am working to achieve my law degree to be a strong advocate for justice one day,” she said. “I hope to empower others to be resilient in pursuit of their dreams despite the inevitable life challenges along the way. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ‘If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.’ I have implemented that mindset; I may take baby steps some days, but those add up too.”
Santos’s heart for serving others and belief in the power of representation led her to run for the District 117 seat. She thought she would bring a unique perspective to the table from her personal, educational and professional experiences.
“My main goal is to amplify the voices of the people in my district. I aim to draft and support legislation that makes a positive difference, with a focus on underrepresented communities,” she said. “Advocating for education is one of my priorities because it is undeniably a pathway to creating a better future. Anyone who has a desire to learn and/or teach deserves that opportunity and to be supported.”
Santos said volunteering and serving the public over the years has been fulfilling and impactful, and she encourages others to find a cause they believe in and give back.
“I believe care and guidance can change lives,” she said. “Many young people make it to the court systems for mistakes that may have been avoided with the right guidance and support. If I were able to help even one person find a better path, it would be well worth it. Knowing my actions could positively impact someone’s future motivates me to serve.
“My long-term goal is to keep growing and learning, both personally and professionally, to better serve the people. I thank God, my family and all of those that have supported and loved me along my journey.”
