JUDI ANN MASON ~ A LEGEND

In life there are certain human beings that leave nothing on this earth when they leave. There are some who leave a negative impression on the world and then there are those who leave a lasting impression that can never be duplicated.

That statement holds true for Playwright Judi Ann Mason, a pioneer of writing and teaching. Judi was born February 2, 1955 in Bossier City, Louisiana. Being that Bossier City was not a huge town and in a time when dreaming was not considered the proper thing to do, Judi dared to dream.

While attending Grambling State University, the 19 year old student saw something that peaked her interest, a flier on the theater department’s bulletin board announcing the American College Theater Festival 1975 Norman Lear Award all but jumped off the pages. The prize was $2500.00 and being a college student was a minor motive to having monies, she exclaimed, “Boy, I could sure use that money,” almost immediately, Judi began to write and hone her craft and before she knew it, a masterpiece was produced.

“Living Fat” was born and it was an impressive work that captured the minds and hearts of many fans and critics alike. The show stopping play about a poor black family facing moral dilemma of keeping a large sum of money was produced in New York at the same time Mason was in school.

Mason was one who never backed away from a challenge, states her niece Markisha, “Aunt Judi was an over achiever. She never settled for less and she never sold herself short.” Judi’s passion for writing was something that was a gift from the heavens above and in a region where money was scarce she never allowed the lack of money be the motivating factor in her writing.

She went on to win the Norman Lear Award for comedic writing from the Kennedy Center for the performing Arts for her play Living Fat. She would go on to win the coveted Lorraine Hansberry Playwriting Award for another masterpiece entitled “A Star Ain’t Nothin But A Hole In Heaven”.

Her play "Daughters of the Mock" -- a south Louisiana-set story about a mock curse that a Creole grandmother has passed down from generation to generation to protect the family's women from abusive men -- was first produced by the Negro Ensemble Company in New York City in 1978 and reportedly has been performed at women's colleges across the country.

A few months after graduating in 1977, Mason headed to Hollywood and before she knew it she was penning scripts for Norman Lear's groundbreaking television show "Good Times," a show she once described as "comedic filet mignon. Even in being successful Judi never forgot to laugh. "I never saw Judi Ann Mason without a smile," Lear states, "She brought it to her writing and her writing brought the rest of us to laughter. She was the ultimate upper."

After the success of Good Times, Mason went on to write for shows including "Sanford “ and "Beverly Hills, 90120" and co-wrote the 1996 cable TV movie "Sophie & the Moonhanger."Among other things, she also was executive story editor for "A Different World," executive story editor for "I'll Fly Away," and development executive and associate head writer for the ground breaking NBC soap opera "Generations. In addition, she served as Head Writer for Writers Development on the Award Winning Soap Guiding Light.

Even with the success and famous friends such as: Patti Labelle, LaTonya Richardson, Jennifer Holiday and Jheryl Busby, to name a few, Judi remained humbled and focused. She would often return home to the Shreveport/Bossier area and simply enjoy her close knit family. The love of her family was the most important thing to her and often she could be found out in the country taking in the fresh air.

Her faith in God was the common denominator in her life, “Judi never ceased to thank God for his blessings. She never ceased to give God the praise for the talent to write,” states Markisha. Her crowning moment came when she was pegged to co-write the 1993 movie comedy "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.”

Being a playwright and script writer is a time consuming task but Judi was also a doting parent to her most prized possessions- Daughter Mason and Son Austin. Her family was her support and encouragement throughout all the successes.

Many of her colleagues state that often when Mason would become angry, she would quote a statement from Tennessee Williams Award Winning Play the Glass Menagerie. The quote would read, “Go to the Moon, you selfish dreamer!”

Even as a writer, she encouraged others to tap into their God given gift. Television writer Tina Andrews exclaims, "When I saw her sitting behind her desk as somebody in a very powerful position as now a head writer, I saw what I could be," said Andrews. "And when I later called her to congratulate her on her, wonderful job, she said, 'If you want to write, then write.' She had a very powerful presence. I said, 'You know, I can do that.' And that's what happened."

Mason was in no way timid of who she was or what she represented. In a field where it was hard for women to be taken seriously, Mason was cut from a different cloth. “She was a trailblazer for the forward progression of African American writers," Andrews states. "Most particularly, she became that trailblazer for those African American women writers who came behind her and she was certainly front and center as a role model."

In her later years Mason would go on to teach at The University of Florida and University of Louisville.

I myself had the gracious opportunity to meet Ms. Mason one lovely evening. Before meeting her, I heard her introduction, “Ladies and Gentlemen, Lets welcome Ms. Judi Mason.” I was prepared to meet this person who had traveled and lived in cities that only some of us dream about. However, upon introducing myself to her, she sweetly said, “Call me Judi, please!” Her presence was that of a grateful woman who had lived an exciting life. Her niece proudly professes, “Aunt Judi never let the fame go to her head and that is what was so unique about her, she was truly humble.”

That moment I realized, I am standing in front of a LEGEND.

Sadly, Judi Ann Mason passed away on June 8, 2009 and the literary world lost a gentle giant. Many family and friends paid respects, memorial services were held in various parts of the United States but the greatest honor that she has was leaving her masterpieces here for others to read.

Judi Ann Mason left an undeniable mark on the literary world but most importantly, she left a Legacy that can never be replaced.

We salute you Miss Mason. Continue to write with the stars.