[1] Mae Allison was born in Teague, Texas on September 10, 1941, the son of a school principal and a teacher.
She was educated at Booker T. Washington High School and Texas Southern University, graduating with a B.Sc.
After two years, she returned to Texas, becoming a caseworker, social work teacher and community volunteer in Waco.
She also returned to study, gaining a PhD from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1985,[1] with a thesis on volunteering.
From 1991 to 1997 Governor Ann Richards appointed her to serve as an executive member of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.