Mary E is a common name that can refer to various individuals, but one notable figure is Mary E. McLeod Bethune. She was an American educator, stateswoman, and civil rights activist born in 1875. Bethune founded the Bethune-Cookman University in Florida and played a significant role in advocating for African American education and women's rights. Another reference could be to Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, an American author known for her short stories and novels in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Freeman's works often depicted the lives of women in New England, highlighting their struggles and resilience in a changing society.