Mears studied at the State Normal School in Oshkosh,[4] and art in New York City.

[11] Mears was one of a group of women sculptors christened the "White Rabbits" who worked under Lorado Taft producing sculpture for the World Columbian Exposition.

[13] Her most important works include a marble statue of Frances E. Willard (1905, Capitol, Washington) that is included in the National Statuary Hall Collection; portrait reliefs of Edward MacDowell (Metropolitan Museum, New York); and Augustus St. Gaudens; portrait busts of George Rogers Clark and William T.G.

French, having as much work as he desired, turned the commission down, and Post recommended Mears for the job.

[15][16] Following the debacle surrounding the Wisconsin Capitol statue, Mears's health declined, as did her financial well-being.