Beyond the classroom, Mary Helen’s heart has always been drawn to storytelling—particularly the extraordinary real-life story of Shirley the Elephant. As a young mother and teacher, she frequently took her three children and classroom students to The Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo in Monroe, LA, where they would visit Shirley—a lonely elephant with a crooked leg and torn ear. When Shirley was finally relocated to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, it became front-page news in Monroe—especially when her emotional reunion with a younger elephant, Jenny, captured hearts worldwide.

Inspired by this touching journey, Mary Helen turned Shirley’s story into her passion project, writing her debut book, Shirley the Elephant Story: The Heart Always Remembers. This beautifully crafted tale sheds light on the hidden struggles of captive elephants while celebrating their profound emotions, resilience, and bonds of friendship.

Her dedication to elephant welfare didn’t stop there. She continues to explore their world in her upcoming books:

• Jenny the Elephant: The Story of a Courageous Heart – A powerful continuation of Shirley’s story, seen through Jenny’s perspective, highlighting her journey of resilience and newfound freedom.
• Elephant Lessons: Reflections on What We Can Learn from Elephants – A compelling collection of life lessons inspired by elephants, revealing the depth of their intelligence, emotions, and social connections.

Through her books, Mary Helen hopes to educate and inspire readers—both children and adults—to rethink the ethics of animal captivity and embrace compassion for all creatures. She actively reads to students, shares Shirley’s story in classrooms, and works with educators to integrate meaningful, hands-on learning experiences.

Now residing in Mandeville, Louisiana, Mary Helen continues her mission of fostering literacy, mentoring teachers, and advocating for ethical animal treatment. Whether she’s teaching, writing, or storytelling, she remains devoted to inspiring future generations—one student, one book, and one elephant story at a time.