The American Dream Story
How would you describe Mary in one sentence?
That small-town girl from the Midwest who made her way standing on a platform singing for U.S. Presidents and world leaders, in order to be a part of discussions to help change the world. And by changing the world, that includes using her voice and platform to encourage love of country, promote unity, and always honor those who have sacrificed, and continue to sacrifice their lives for freedom.
Mary is a singer who will make you love your country again. Her rousing arrangements of America’s patriotic music and international anthems evoke emotional response and stir patriotism universally. Her voice is known to “make adult men cry” and leave strangers hugging each other following her performance.
American Singer/Actress, Helen Hayes Award Nominee, and recording artist Mary Millben has been one of Oklahoma’s best kept secrets – until now. For Mary, singing in church started it all. Referred to as a “Songbird,’ at a young age, Mary quickly overcame stage fright when repeatedly called on to sing in church by her mother – now a retired Pentecostal, music pastor and former classical soprano. Thanks to her mother, who raised Mary and her siblings as a divorced single parent, it was just a matter of time before this preacher’s kid would go from the plains of the Midwest to the stages of the world.
While singing her way through high school and college, Mary also represented the state of Oklahoma in public arenas as a young leader - thrust in front of U.S. Presidents, world figures and corporate America as a voice for those underrepresented. Mary was the presidential runner-up at the American Legion Auxiliary 1999 Girls Nation, gubernatorial runner-up at Oklahoma Girls State, and the Oklahoma delegate at the 1998 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) World Congress in Washington, D.C.
In college, Mary was elected the second African American female Student Body President and the first African American female Vice- President at the University of Oklahoma (OU) – governing 30,000 students. While serving in student leadership, Mary was a featured singer for University dinners and private events hosted by former Oklahoma U.S. Senator, Governor and former President of OU, David L. Boren. As a professional student, Mary served the state of Oklahoma at the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Crowe & Dunlevy Law Firm, and later Press Secretary & Director of Communications for the Oklahoma Republican Party under former Chairman Gary Jones.
Making her way to Washington, D.C., Mary served as a White House intern and White House Presidential Appointee to George W. Bush, wearing diverse hats as a junior staffer. But most of all, it was Washington, D.C. that gave Mary her start at a professional career as a singer. Thanks to the generosity of President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, while serving The White House as a young staffer, Mary regularly performed for White House Christmas parties, private political functions, and even debuted with the National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts with the late Marvin Hamlisch, who later served as a mentor to Mary.
Today, Mary is one of the most sought-after voices across the world. A singing career paralleled with cultural diplomacy, Mary has performed for four consecutive U.S. Presidents (President George W. Bush, President Barack Obama, President Donald Trump, and President Joe Biden), international royalty, and world leaders. Mary has also been featured at The White House, the United States Congress, 2020 Republican National Convention, for the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball League (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), 2016 Rio Olympics, Off-Broadway, XLIII Superbowl Halftime Show w/Bruce Springsteen, and in concert halls worldwide.
Mary’s story is the American dream, and a brand rooted in God, American patriotism, and love of country.