Congratulations to Citizen of the Week: Mary T. Meagher Plant!

Mary T. Meagher Plant, affectionately known as “Madame Butterfly,” brought her world-record-breaking butterfly stroke from Olympic pools to our community here in Peachtree City—where she now lives with her husband, former U.S. Olympic speed skater Michael Plant, and their two children.

From her very first splash, it was clear Mary was destined for greatness. At just 14, she set her first world record—and in 1981, she stunned the world by lowering both the 100- and 200-meter butterfly marks to times that would hold for nearly two decades.

At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Mary captured gold in the 100- and 200-meter butterfly races, and swam the butterfly leg in the U.S. women’s 4×100-meter medley relay—bringing home a third gold that night. She returned to the Olympics in 1988, earning a bronze medal in the 200-meter butterfly and a silver in the medley relay.

Now in her 60s, Mary is still inspiring swimmers of all ages. Just this summer, she broke the Masters World Record in the 200-meter butterfly in the 60–64 age group—a stunning reminder that excellence knows no age limit. She remains active in USA Swimming and continues to uplift the sport at both local and national levels.

“Mary’s very active in USA Swimming at both the national and local levels,” says Coach Nicole LaVigna of Chattahoochee Gold Peachtree City. “She’s constantly helping the sport grow while fostering a safe environment for athletes to thrive.”

Mary’s story is far from over—but her legacy, both in the pool and in our community, continues to ripple outward.

Do you know a Citizen like Mary? We’d love for you to nominate them for a future Citizen of the Week.

Anyone in Fayette or Coweta County can nominate a local resident to be featured. Submissions must include between 100 and 500 words explaining why your nominee deserves the spotlight and a photo of them. (Submissions without a photo cannot be accepted.) Fill out the nomination form here:
👉 https://thecitizen.com/nominate-a-citizen-of-the-week/

Each week, one honoree is celebrated in The Citizen, giving us all a chance to recognize the people who enrich our community with their character and care.

The Citizen of the Week is proudly sponsored by City of Hope® Cancer Center Atlanta, a national leader in cancer research and treatment. With expertise across all cancer types and a commitment to whole-person care, City of Hope honors those who strengthen our communities through service, compassion, and resilience. Learn more at cityofhope.org/atlanta.