Mary Cain (editor) facts for kids

Mary Dawson Cain (born August 17, 1904 – died May 6, 1984) was an American woman who edited a newspaper. She was also a political activist and ran for governor in Mississippi. As a member of the Democratic Party, she supported ideas that were considered traditional or "conservative." She is especially known for her efforts against the Social Security tax. Mary Cain was the first woman to run for Governor of Mississippi, trying in both 1951 and 1955.

About Mary Cain's Life

Mary Cain was born in Burke, Louisiana. Her parents were Charles Goodrich Dawson and Tulula Bryant Dela Garza Dawson. She went to public schools in Louisiana and Mississippi. She later graduated from Hillman College. In 1924, she married John Lambdin Cain, who was a mechanic and owned a business.

Mary Cain owned and edited a weekly newspaper called The Summit Sun. This newspaper was published in Pike County, Mississippi. She also wrote her own column called "Mary Cain's Column." In her newspaper, Mary Cain promoted ideas like keeping races separate. She also supported other traditional causes. She was very critical of the federal government, especially the Social Security tax.

Running for Governor

In 1951, Mary Cain became the first woman ever to run for Governor of Mississippi. She ran as a Democrat, but her campaign was not successful. She tried again to become governor in 1955.

Her Tax Battle

Mary Cain became well-known across the country in 1952. This happened when she refused to pay $42.87 in Social Security taxes. She said the program was "against the rules of the country, wrong, and un-American." She tried to avoid paying the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). She sold The Summit Sun to her niece for just $1 and closed her bank accounts.

Later that year, the IRS took control of her newspaper. They put a padlock on the door. Mary Cain responded by cutting the chains with a hacksaw. She then sent the chains back to the IRS. This act earned her the nickname "Hacksaw Mary." Her fight against the tax went all the way to the Supreme Court. Mary Cain lost the case, but the government later decided not to continue the lawsuit.

Her Views on Society

In 1965, Mary Cain appeared in a TV show called Mississippi: A Self Portrait on NBC News. In this show, she spoke about her support for keeping races separate. She believed this was good for society, especially in Mississippi. She said, "I think Mississippi has done wonders with our race relations." She also added, "I feel no sense of guilt and I do not have to apologize for what we have done for them."

She explained her views on race further. She believed that God had a reason for creating races separately. She said she was proud of Black people who were proud of being Black. She also said she was proud to be White because her parents practiced racial separation.

Later Life

Mary Cain passed away on May 6, 1984. She was 79 years old. She died in McComb, Mississippi.