Mary Belle Sherman

Mary Belle Sherman (née King; December 11, 1862 — January 15, 1935) was an American clubwoman, parliamentarian, and conservationist who lobbied for the creation of the National Parks system.

[5] In 1914, she moved to Colorado to recover from illness and injury, and became determined that the scenic western landscapes that refreshed her should be available to every American.

[6] "Every community should have a place in which the people may spend their leisure time", she declared in a 1915 speech at a conservation conference in Berkeley, California, "where they will be brought in direct contact with things of beauty and interest in the outdoor world.

[12] In 1925, she was appointed to the advisory board of the National Broadcasting Company, and served on the George Washington Bicentennial Commission.

[14] Mary Belle King Sherman died in 1935, aged 72 years, from complications after being injured in a traffic accident.