The Letter Mary Travers Wrote To Her Daughter About Singing For Justice

April 1, 2025

Mary Travers sat at her small wooden desk, a soft lamp casting a warm glow over her notes and papers. The faint smell of ink and paper filled the air as she picked up her pen, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on her. She was writing a letter to her daughter, a passionate melody flowing through her mind as she thought about the power of music to inspire change. In this letter, she wanted to share the importance of using one’s voice for justice, a lesson she had learned through years of performing and advocating for what was right.

For Mary, music had always been more than just a career; it was a lifeline. As one of the trio Peter, Paul and Mary, she had captivated audiences across the nation with her soulful voice and timeless songs. But her journey was not just about the applause and the bright lights of the stage. In the 1960s, amid the turbulent waves of the civil rights movement, Mary found a deeper purpose in her music. She knew that her songs could carry messages of hope and resistance, echoing the cries of those who felt unheard and oppressed.

In her letter, Mary recounted the time they sang at the historic March on Washington in 1963, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Standing before a sea of diverse faces, she felt the electric energy in the air, a sense of unity and strength. As they sang “If I Had a Hammer,” the lyrics rang out like a battle cry against injustice, and Mary could see tears of hope and resolve in the eyes of those listening. Each note they sang seemed to weave threads of courage among the crowd, reminding everyone that through song, they could confront the challenges of hate and inequality.

But it wasn’t always easy. Mary faced criticism and backlash for her bold stances and political activism. Some people believed musicians should stay out of politics, but Mary stood firm in her beliefs. In her letter, she wrote to her daughter about the importance of standing up for what is right, even when the world tries to silence you. She shared how every challenge she faced only fueled her passion, making each performance more powerful than the last.

As she sealed the envelope, Mary felt a mix of hope and determination. She wanted her daughter to understand that music could be a powerful tool for change, a way to heal the wounds of society while lifting spirits. She believed that through song, they could create a brighter future for themselves and their communities. The sound of her voice, she hoped, would resonate through generations, inspiring her daughter to carry the torch of justice and never let it dim.

Mary’s life and music left an indelible mark on the world. She knew that her journey was just one of many, but she was determined to encourage others to find their own voices. In her heart, she believed that every person could sing for justice in their own way, whether it was through music, art, or simple acts of kindness. As she wrote the final words of her letter, Mary felt a warm glow of inspiration, hopeful that her message would ripple through time and empower others to join the fight for a just and beautiful world.