Senator April Baskin Honors Mary Frances Brown, 92, Korean Wartime Veteran as 2025 District Woman of Distinction

May 15, 2025

Contact: Brenda Alesii, Communications Director; M: 716-861-7288; Balesii@NYSenate.gov

Senator April Baskin Honors Mary Frances Brown, 92, Korean Wartime Veteran as 2025 District Woman of Distinction

Albany, NY – Senator April N.M. Baskin recognized Korean Wartime veteran Mary Frances Brown Tuesday at a “Woman of Distinction” ceremony held in the State Capital. As the 92-year-old wartime veteran accepted her award, a loud ovation erupted throughout the room. 

Born in Kentucky, Ms. Brown came to WNY in 1948, settling in Lackawanna where she has resided for nearly 50 years. After graduating from Lackawanna H.S., Ms.  Brown worked at Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, caring for seriously ill children. 

During that time, Ms. Brown made a life-changing decision, joining the U.S. Navy at the age of 20. After completing basic training in Maryland, Ms. Brown was stationed at the Naval Air Station in  Washington, D.C. She shattered racial barriers by rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. A  Korean wartime veteran, Ms. Brown served our country for four years, calling her military service  a “great experience.” A widow, Ms. Brown is the parent of a son.

Senator Baskin said: “Think of the courage it took Mary Frances Brown, a 20-year-old Black woman, who was driven by love of country and people, to leave her family home, join the Armed Services and serve as the Korean War was raging in the early 1950s. No one will ever understand the challenge she faced and the discipline it took to serve our country.” To this day, Ms. Brown personifies her life philosophy:  “Let your life be an example. Do things to the best of your ability and let your light shine,” Senator Baskin added.

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Photos and video available by request.