Mary Gertrude Anderson (née Gaiser; December 7, 1909 – March 27, 2017) was an American business executive, known for co-founding Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) 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]