Mary Lou Reed Receives DAR Women in American History Award in Coeur d'Alene

Every hiker who has climbed Tubbs Hill, every family that has walked the Centennial Trail, and every resident who has pulled a kayak into Lake Coeur d'Alene owes something to Mary Lou Reed. On Friday morning, the Daughters of the American Revolution's Lt. George Farragut Chapter made that debt official, presenting Reed with their 2026 Women in American History Award at a ceremony in Coeur d'Alene.

Reed accepted the award alongside her son, Bruce Reed, as guests and DAR members applauded. She thanked everyone for attending and shared her appreciation for the patriotic organization. Regent Kathy Swanson and DAR member Laurie Jaeger presented the honor.

Jaeger, who delivered remarks at the ceremony, traced Reed's civic record back more than seven decades. Reed and her late husband, environmental attorney Scott Reed, together helped found both the Kootenai Environmental Alliance and the Idaho Conservation League. "Together, they helped found the Kootenai Environmental Alliance and the Idaho Conservation League, organizations that have protected Idaho's lands and water for more than 50 years," Jaeger said.

After years of community organizing and campaigning for other candidates, Mary Lou Reed ran for office herself and won a seat in the Idaho State Senate in 1984. She represented District 4 for six terms, with priorities that included clean water, strong public schools, early childhood education, smaller class sizes, human rights and fairness. Jaeger described her tenure plainly: Reed became known as a legislator "who was principled, prepared and unfailingly decent."

That reputation extended to how Reed understood her own role. "She once said she believed she was an effective legislator, but not a mean one," Jaeger said. "Anyone who worked with her will tell you, that was exactly right."

The Friday morning ceremony closed with Jaeger connecting Reed's legislative record to the physical landscape of North Idaho. "Mary Lou's legacy isn't just found in policies or organizations; it's found in places we love, the people she's encouraged and in the quiet but powerful belief that each of us matters and that's always worth doing the work," Jaeger said. "It's no wonder Mary Lou received the DAR Good Citizenship Award in 1948. Today, we honor Mary Lou and we recognize her for a life that continues to make Idaho stronger, kinder and more hopeful."

Described as "a force of nature in Idaho for over 70 years," Reed has now been recognized by the DAR at both ends of her public life, with that 1948 Good Citizenship Award preceding her Senate career by more than three decades.