Mary Babula attended University of Wisconsin-Madison and received a bachelor's degree in
Social Work and later a master's degree in Adult Education in 1984. Her career in early
childhood education began as a teacher/director at Christian Day Care Center in Madison in
the 1970s. Later, she became the director of Wisconsin Early Childhood Association
(W.E.C.A.) which grew under her leadership. Mary was an advocate for children's and
teacher's rights.