Mary Cain

Mary Dawson Cain (August 17, 1904 – May 6, 1984) was an American newspaper editor, political activist, and gubernatorial candidate in Mississippi. A Democrat, she advocated for conservative causes and is particularly remembered for her campaigns against the Social Security tax. She ran for Governor of Mississippi in 1951 and 1955, the first woman to do so. Life Cain was born in Burke, Louisiana, the daughter of Charles Goodrich Dawson and Tulula Bryant Dela Garza Dawson. She was educated in public schools in Louisiana and Mississippi, and graduated from Hillman College. She married mechanic and business owner John Lambdin Cain in 1924. Cain owned and edited The Summit Sun, a weekly newspaper in Pike County, Mississippi, contributing "Mary Cain's Column". Cain used her paper to promote segregation and conservative causes, and was particularly critical of the federal government, especially the Social Security tax. Cain became the first woman ever to run for Governor of Mississippi in 1951, when she led an unsuccessful campaign as a Democrat. She ran again in 1955.