Mary Anderson | |
---|---|
Born | Mary Gertrude Gaiser December 7, 1909 |
Died | March 27, 2017 Washington, US | (aged 107)
Occupation(s) | Teacher, Executive |
Known for | Co-founder of REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) |
Spouse | Lloyd Anderson (m.1932–2000, his death) |
Children | 2 daughters |
Mary Gertrude Anderson (née Gaiser; December 7, 1909 – March 27, 2017) was an American business executive, known for co-founding REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) in 1938 with her husband, Lloyd Anderson.[1]
As avid mountaineers in Seattle, Washington, they saw a need for quality gear so created a consumer cooperative company that is one of the largest recreational equipment retailers.[2][3] They were inducted into the Cooperative Business Association's Hall of Fame in 1993.[4]
In honor of her 100th birthday in 2009, December 7 was "Mary Anderson Day" in Washington state and the city of Seattle.[5]
Gaiser was born to John and Gertrude Gaiser in Yakima, Washington. In 1932, she married Lloyd Alva Anderson.[6] She died at age 107 in 2017.[1][7]