Mary Lee Sargent is a professor and feminist activist notable for her direct action political protests on behalf of the Equal Rights Amendment in the early 1980s.

[2] Sargent was photographed wearing chains outside the Illinois State Senate by Anne Leibowitz and the photo ran in Life Magazine.

[1] When Sargent was asked by the press if she was concerned the direct action tactics might turn off some ERA supporters she replied, "It's too late for that...we're here to step up the confrontation.

"[3] Sargent was photographed in 1982 with Sonia Johnson who was on a long term fast for the ERA at the Illinois state house.

[9] In the early 1990s she spent a great deal of time in New Harmony, Indiana and was known for her love of prairie plants.