Mary’s character was undoubtedly modeled, at least in part from her mother, Mary Kershaw Blamires (later Boynton) who also actively participated in suffrage causes such as officer in the Columbian Club. Both mother and daughter knew from firsthand experience that independence was important for a woman and that regaining the vote was the first step. Mary, married Thomas Boynton after the death of her husband in England. She was a member of Relief Society and an agent for the Woman’s Exponent which probably meant that she sold subscriptions. She was industrious, drying fruit, knitting stockings and participating in the society’s silk raising experiment.