Besides founding the organization in 1980, Mary Lou has also published multiple books, educational videotapes, and an extensive body of literature on endometriosis. She helped found the world’s first research registry for endometriosis and is responsible for a major breakthrough in endometriosis research, which linked the condition to dioxin. The breakthrough received attention in leading scientific journals, prompting numerous additional research studies. Additionally, Mary Lou was instrumental in establishing a research program for endometriosis at Dartmouth Medical School and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.