Capt. Ransom J. Arthur M.D. Award

Recipient:	Mary Lee Watson
Year:	1995
LMSC:	Southeastern

Mary Lee Watson, the 1995 Capt. Ransom J. Arthur M.D. Award recipient, engaged in all sorts of water activities including water ballet instruction, lifesaving and water safety instruction, swim instruction, and competition. Mary Lee began swimming with her dad at age six in a lake near Chattanooga, TN. She also swam at while at the University of Tennessee. Mary Lee was manager of the West Meade Swim Club from 1962-1972 and in 1978 she was asked to swim on a relay with the Nashville Aquatic Club. She was hooked, and would go on to set national records in the 1650 and 500-yards freestyle and the 10K relay. Mary Lee also set a world record in the 400-meter freestyle. In 1993, she was inducted into the Tennessee Swimming Hall of Fame.

Mary Lee started Music City Masters in 1985 and served as club secretary, treasurer, and eventually president. In addition, she served 12 years as the chair of the Southeastern LMSC. At the national level, she chaired the Convention Committee from 1983 to 1985 and the Marketing Committee from 1985 to 1992. While serving on the Rule Book Committee (since its inception in 1989) she was responsible for procuring 90% of the rule book ads. Mary Lee was honored with the Ransom Arthur Award for these contributions, and many more.