Lasker, Mary

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Mary Lasker and her husband were founders of the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation which gives an award for contributions to medical research and public health administration. She was associated with many charitable organizations.

From the description of Papers, 1945-1962. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155523699

Mary Lasker (1900-1994) along with her husband Albert D. Lasker, co-founder of the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation. Between 1900 and 1940 major sources of financing for medical research were nongovernmental, with private foundations and universities the principal sponsors and hosts of basic research. Before World War II most American scientists opposed large-scale federal financing or coordination of research. The war changed such attitudes by increasing government sponsorship of medicine and making research a priority. Following the war the emergence of a private, lay lobby for medical research greatly expanded government support. Henceforth the U.S. government and its tax dollars would become an important part of the U.S. medical establishment. Lasker had worked with voluntary organizations and took a major role in reorganizing the American Cancer Society. She knew of the National Health Survey of 1936, which emphasized the poor state of health among American people. The fact that four million of fourteen million men examined for military service before June 1944 had been rejected as mentally or physically unfit convinced her and others that American public health had to be improved. Her experience with private sector health-oriented organizations proved to her that public funding support was required in the fight against disease. Lasker had a friend, Florence Mahoney, who had experience campaigning for improvement of health programs; and through her family''s connections with the Cox newspaper chain, Mahoney had the power to help on the political front in the battle for expanded medical-research support. This "noble conspiracy," also known as "Mary and her little lambs," believed the doctors and research scientists were too used to thinking small. Lasker, as a result of her background, was used to thinking big, and she had the conviction something could and should be done about increasing the government''s sponsorship of medical research. The public was accustomed to mass medical fund-raising by such organizations as the March of Dimes. Public-opinion polls showed support for more expansive government assistance to medicine. The Lasker lobby cultivated key figures in Congress, many of whom were opponents of national health insurance. Many covered their political opposition to national health insurance by voting generous appropriations for medical research instead. Lasker''s money and Mahoney''s editorials pressured politicians to support government funding for medical research. Lasker encouraged doctors and research scientists to ask for more money from Congress than ever before, and Congress approved it. Lasker''s "noble conspiracy" helped to create governmental support of medical research and education.

From the description of Lasker, Mary W. (Mary Woodward), 1900-1994 (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10679487

BIOGHIST REQUIRED Mary Woodard Lasker (1900-1994), civic worker and philanthropist, was a businesswoman prior to her marriage in 1940 to the advertising executive and philanthropist, Albert Davis Lasker (1880-1952). With her help, Lasker re-ordered his life and priorities. Together they shared a life centering on philanthropic work. They founded the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation which gives awards in the fields of medical research and public health administration. Mary Lasker had a strong interest in the arts, civic beautification, reproductive planning, dress design, and health issues, specifically cancer and heart disease. She was actively involved with the promotion and development of national bodies dealing with cancer, heart disease, arthritis, mental health, neurological disease, and blindness. She was an able and effective Washington lobbyist and knew many statesmen, legislators, artists, and scientific pioneers. Lasker was decorated as a Chevalier Officer of the French Legion of Honor and, in 1969, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

From the guide to the Mary Lasker Papers, 1940-1993., (Columbia University Rare Book and Manuscript Library, )

Promoter of medical research, philanthropist; interviewee married Albert D. Lasker.

From the description of Reminiscences of Mary Lasker : oral history, 1965. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 298686766

Mary Woodard Lasker (1900-1994), civic worker and philanthropist, was a businesswoman prior to her marriage in 1940 to the advertising executive and philanthropist, Albert Davis Lasker (1880-1952). With her help, Lasker re-ordered his life and priorities. Together they shared a life centering on philanthropic work. They founded the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation which gives awards in the fields of medical research and public health administration. Mary Lasker had a strong interest in the arts, civic beautification, reproductive planning, dress design, and health issues, specifically cancer and heart disease. She was actively involved with the promotion and development of national bodies dealing with cancer, heart disease, arthritis, mental health, neurological disease, and blindness. She was an able and effective Washington lobbyist and knew many statesmen, legislators, artists, and scientific pioneers. Lasker was decorated as a Chevalier Officer of the French Legion of Honor and, in 1969, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

From the description of Mary Lasker papers, 1940-1993. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 606936763

Promoter of medical research; philanthropist; interviewee married Albert D. Lasker.

From the description of Reminiscences of Mary Lasker : oral history, 1982. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 298686765

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Hinschetz, J. Mohel Büche : Kempen= Pinḳese nimolim [rom.] Yeshiva University
referencedIn Papers of Charlotte Curtis, (inclusive), (bulk), 1928-1987, 1950-1981 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Academy of Political Science letters, 1923-1970. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Lasker, Albert Davis, 1880-1952. Albert Lasker papers, 1928-1952 bulk dates 1946-1952. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Academy of Political Science letters, 1923-1970 Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Microfilm Reels of the Committee for the Nation's Health Records from the Michael M. Davis Collection, In the New York Academy of Medicine, 1939-1955 (bulk 1946-1955) History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine
referencedIn Barnouw, Erik, 1908-2001. Erik Barnouw papers, 1920-1990. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf DeVita, Vincent T. Papers, 1964-1988. William & Mary Libraries
creatorOf Lasker, Mary. Reminiscences of Mary Lasker : oral history, 1982. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn New York Times Company records. Arthur Hays Sulzberger papers, 1823-1999 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Mary Lasker Papers, 1940-1993. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Gorman, Mike, 1913-1989. Mike Gorman papers, 1946-1989. National Library of Medicine
referencedIn The Hadassah Medical Organization Papers in the Hadassah Archives, 1918 - 2009 Hadassah
referencedIn Papers, 1929-1998 (Inclusive) Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine
referencedIn Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation - Albert Lasker Awards Archives, 1944- History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine
referencedIn Sachs, Paul J. (Paul Joseph), 1878-1965. Papers, 1903-2005. Harvard University Art Museum
referencedIn Mike Gorman Papers, 1946-1989 History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine
creatorOf Lasker, Mary. Reminiscences of Mary Lasker : oral history, 1965. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Lasker, Mary. Mary Lasker papers, 1940-1993. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Papers, 1945-1962. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Erik Barnouw Papers, 1920-1990. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation. Lasker Award Archives, 1944-87 (bulk 1962-1987). National Library of Medicine
referencedIn The Hadassah Medical Organization Papers in the Hadassah Archives, 1918-2009 Hadassah the Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc.
referencedIn Guide to the Sam Reiss Photographs, circa 1930-1975 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
referencedIn Pincus, Gregory, 1903-1967. Papers of Gregory Pincus, 1920-1969 (bulk 1950-1967). Library of Congress
referencedIn Dennett, Mary Ware, 1872-1947. Papers: Series III, 1909-1942 (inclusive) [microform]. Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Albert Lasker Papers, 1928-1952, (bulk dates 1946-1952). Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Stevenson, Adlai E. (Adlai Ewing), 1900-1965. Adlai E. Stevenson papers, 1861-1990 (bulk 1952-1965). Princeton University Library
referencedIn International Institute of Rural Reconstruction. Records, 1914-1999. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Freddy Homburger Papers, 1926-1990, (bulk 1941-1989) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn President's Daily Diary. 11/22/1963 - 1/20/1969. President's Daily Diary. 11/22/1963 - 1/20/1969. President's Daily Diary Entry, June 24, 1964 Lyndon Baines Johnson Library
referencedIn Committee for the Nation's Health. Committee for the Nation's Health records, 1939-1956 (bulk 1946-1955) [microform]. National Library of Medicine
referencedIn Smith, J. Alden, 1830-1896. Incoming correspondence (from outside Colorado), T-Z 1865-1889. Boulder Public Library
referencedIn Florence S. Mahoney Papers, 1935-1988 History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Academy of Political Science (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation. corporateBody
associatedWith American Public Health Association. corporateBody
associatedWith Barnouw, Erik, 1908-2001. person
associatedWith Bush, George, 1924- person
associatedWith Capote, Truman, 1924-1984. person
associatedWith Carter, Jimmy, 1924- person
associatedWith Charlotte Curtis, 1928-1987 person
associatedWith Committee for the Nation's Health. corporateBody
associatedWith Committee for the Nation's Health Records corporateBody
associatedWith Dalí, Salvador, 1904-1989. person
associatedWith Dennett, Mary Ware, 1872-1947. person
associatedWith DeVita, Vincent T. person
associatedWith Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969. person
associatedWith Fromm, Erich, 1900-1980. person
associatedWith Gorman, Mike, 1913-1989. person
associatedWith Hinschetz, J. person
correspondedWith Homburger, Freddy. person
associatedWith Homburger, Freddy. person
associatedWith International Institute of Rural Reconstruction. corporateBody
associatedWith Johnson, Lady Bird, 1912-2007. person
associatedWith Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973. person
associatedWith Kennedy, Edward M. (Edward Moore), 1932-2009. person
associatedWith Kennedy, Edward Moore, 1932- person
associatedWith Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963 person
associatedWith Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963. person
associatedWith Kennedy, Robert F., 1925-1968. person
associatedWith Landers, Ann. person
associatedWith Lasker, Albert Davis, 1880-1952. person
associatedWith Loewy, Raymond, 1893-1986. person
associatedWith Luce, Henry Robinson, 1898-1967. person
associatedWith Mahoney, Florence S. person
associatedWith Malraux, André, 1901-1976. person
associatedWith Mason, John T., 1909-, person
associatedWith National Institute of Health (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith National Institutes of Health (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith New York Times Company corporateBody
associatedWith Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy, 1929-1994. person
associatedWith Pincus, Gregory, 1903-1967. person
associatedWith Randolph, Theron G. person
associatedWith Reagan, Ronald. person
associatedWith Reiss, Sam. person
associatedWith Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962. person
associatedWith Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945. person
associatedWith Sachs, Paul J. (Paul Joseph), 1878-1965. person
associatedWith Sanger, Margaret, 1879-1966. person
associatedWith Smith, J. Alden, 1830-1896. person
correspondedWith Stevenson, Adlai E. (Adlai Ewing), 1900-1965. person
associatedWith Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972. person
associatedWith United States. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Public Health Service. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
United States
United States
United States
Subject
Albert Lasker Awards
Alcoholism
Art
Birth control
Federal aid to research
Health insurance
Heart
Interferon
Landscape protection
Medicine
Mental health services
Molecular cloning
Performing arts
Philanthropists
Psychiatry
Public health
Roadside improvement
Urban beautification
Occupation
Civic leaders
Philanthropists
Women civic leaders
Activity

Person

Birth 1900-11-30

Death 1994-02-21

Female

English

Information

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SNAC ID: 71282192