Mary Jane Roberts of Edgefield believes that there is nothing a person cannot accomplish if that person believes strongly enough in his or her goals.

And she ought to know.

As the first black female employee to work at the Edgefield Post Office, she has overcome obstacles that some would have once thought impossible.
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"I just feel that if you want something badly enough, you can get it,"” she said. "“My color doesn'’t determine my strength or how far I can go in life. Besides, it’s much fairer than it used to be.”"

Roberts was hired at the Edgefield Post Office in 1993 as a transitional employee.
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"I was tired of textile,"” she said. “"I was working at FMC in Aiken as head of security. I decided to take the Civil Service exam and passed."”

In 1996, she became a full-time U.S. Postal Career Service employee. Her duties include that of a mail carrier and mail handler and involve sorting, gathering and delivery of the mail.
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"I love my job,"” she said, which is obvious to those around her by the way she performs her daily activities. “"I love the people I work with. It’s a nice atmosphere. We’re all like family.”"

Postmaster Mandy Pennington, who came to the Post Office in October, 2007, said she has found Roberts to be a very dedicated worker.
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"She accepts any task she is given without question,"” Pennington said. "“She'’s easy-going and a pleasure to work with.”"

Roberts is also involved in community and church work.

She serves as vice president of the Board of Women in Unity, an organization whose primary goals include mentoring children without proper motivation through an after school program.
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"We let these kids know that there is more to a future than just getting a high school diploma,”" she said. “"We let them know they can become whatever they want to become.”"

Roberts’ other loves include making things with her hands.

As an entrepreneur, she is currently trying to market a product that she hopes will be out around Christmas. She loves acting, writing, dancing and spending time with her grandchildren.

Involved heavily in church work, she travels to different churches and community activities participating in skits. She also is in the process of writing a book.

Roberts is married to James Roberts and has three children, Prentice Rouse, 27; Jametrice Roberts, 22; and Miracle Roberts, 7. Her oldest son is in the military and two of her grandchildren are in Texas.
“"I mainly get to see those two in the summer and on holidays,"” she said. "“When I have time to spend with my grandchildren, I love to go to the walking trails with them and to read to them."”

When asked what she considers to be one of her stronger qualities, Roberts paused for a moment and said, “"I like doing for other people. I like to do little acts of kindness, such as giving to the less fortunate or checking on the elderly. But I pray that I may seek no credit for the results of what I do. I leave the outcome of my actions to God."”

As a person of faith, she offers this word of advice to others, "“There is no limit to what you can accomplish in helping others. Keep that thought always. Never relinquish any work or give up the thought of any accomplishment because it seems beyond your power; God will help you in all good work.”"