Mary Anderson Bain facts for kids

Mary Anderson Bain (born September 19, 1911 – died August 7, 2006) was an important person in American politics. She is best known for working for 33 years as the main assistant, or Chief of Staff, for Representative Sidney R. Yates from Illinois. She helped shape many important programs that protect America's history and culture.

Early Life and Public Service

Mary Bain was born in DeKalb, Illinois. From a young age, she was involved in Democratic politics.

Helping Young People and Workers

In 1935, Mary became a leader for the National Youth Administration (NYA) in Northern Illinois. The NYA was a special program created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the New Deal. It helped young people find jobs and get an education during a tough economic time.

By 1939, Mary was in charge of the NYA for the entire state of Illinois. Later, she held other important roles:

• She was a leader for the Illinois War Manpower Commission. This group helped organize workers during World War II.
• She worked for the Office of Price Administration, which managed prices during the war.
• She was the Illinois Director for the U.S. Employment Service, helping people find jobs.

Her Family Life

In 1937, Mary married a reporter named Herbert Bain. He worked as an editor for a newspaper and later in public relations. Mary and Herbert were very close throughout their lives. They were both 94 years old when they passed away in 2006, just a short time apart. They had a daughter, Mary Ellen Bain, and two grandsons.

Working on Capitol Hill

Mary Bain's career in Washington, D.C., began in 1965. She became the Chief of Staff for Representative Sidney R. Yates, who was a Congressman from Illinois. A Chief of Staff helps a politician manage their office and important projects.

Protecting Culture and History

In 1975, Representative Yates became the chairman of a powerful committee. This committee helped decide how money was spent on important government programs. Together, Mary Bain and Representative Yates worked hard to protect America's cultural heritage and history.

They helped create many important programs and places, such as:

• The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum: This museum teaches people about the Holocaust and its lessons.
• Programs at the National Endowment for the Humanities: These programs help preserve old books and protect national heritage.
• The Conservation Program at the Institute for Museum and Library Services: This helps museums and libraries take care of their collections.
• A special grants program at the National Park Service: This program helps protect cultural sites in national parks.

Mary also played a big part in supporting other important cultural institutions:

• The National Endowment for the Arts: This group supports artists and art programs.
• The Smithsonian Institution: A famous group of museums and research centers.
• The National Gallery of Art: A well-known art museum.
• The Kennedy Center: A famous performing arts center.

Because of her strong leadership in these areas, Mary Bain received the "Heritage Defender" award. She retired from her long and successful career in 1999.