Marilyn Kay Patterson was a feminist who was deeply involved in the women’s movement. She had participated in the New Hampshire state women’s conference in June of 1977 and was elected as a New Hampshire state delegate to the 1977 National Women’s Conference in Houston, Texas. The conference was a national assembly to discuss women’s rights and controversies in various areas with representatives from every state and territory of the United States. Participating at the National Women’s Conference was Marilyn Kay Patterson’s first time in the national political arena. At the conference, she and the delegation from New Hampshire advocated for an addition to the National Plan of Action regarding mental health, however, it did not get formally addressed. In addition, she supported various planks and positions that were proposed at the Conference, advocating for the ERA and women’s reproductive freedom.