Born in Atlanta, Georgia, McGuire ran for Tennessee State University.

TSU had a very successful women's sprinting team, The Tigerbelles, in the 1960s, including triple Olympic champions Wilma Rudolph, Wyomia Tyus, and McGuire.

Although McGuire's running career was short, she won six AAU titles, in three different events.

In 1964, she was undefeated in her favorite event, and went to Tokyo as the main contender for the 200 m gold medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics.

[2] At present, she owns a number of fast food restaurants in Oakland, California together with her husband Charles Duvall.