Mary Woodard Lasker, Omega-Wisconsin. Image curtesy of the Watertown Historical Society
February 4, 2026
Activist and philanthropist for medical research and public healthcare. Mary Lasker and her husband created the Lasker Foundation whose mission is, “to improve health by accelerating support for medical research through recognition of research excellence, advocacy and education.” The Lasker Award is the most prestigious award given in the field of medical research.
She advocated for universal healthcare, was involved with the Birth Control Federation of America (the precursor of Planned Parenthood), was instrumental in transforming the American Cancer Society into the organization it is today and promoted the National Institutes Health (NIH) leading to the NIH’s budget being increased from $2.4 million to $5.5 billion. She received many awards during her life including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Four Freedoms Award and the Congressional Gold Medal.
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