Yearns, Mary H. (Mary Holt)

Mary Holt Yearns received her B.S. (1963) in home economics education, an M.S. (1972) in family environment (housing), and her Ph.D. (1984) in sociology at Iowa State University. Yearns was a member of the faculty at Iowa State (1971-2010). During her career, Yearns was able to devote most of her attention to extension activities and public service as an Extension Specialist in housing and home management (1973-1976), family environment (1976-1990), and as a Extension Housing Specialist (1990-2010). She was named co-leader of the Modest Home Makeover Program. Yearns explored the possibilities of designing homes, primarily kitchen layouts and appliances, to be better suited for elderly and disabled people. She wrote dozens of publications and gave numerous presentations on these topics throughout her career.