The Director
Meet Mary Whalen, the Director and Co-Founder of Indivisible Cheyenne. A fourth-generation Wyomingite and retired Laramie County educator, Mary is passionate about helping our community engage in the political process. She co-founded this group in 2025 to provide a trusted, non-partisan resource for civic action and education in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Mary’s commitment to Wyoming is lifelong. She is a fourth-generation Wyomingite with family roots in Cheyenne that date back to 1890. Her family’s story is woven into the Laramie County landscape, with strong ties to the historic Warren Livestock Company, which is now known as the Terry Bison Ranch. After leaving Cheyenne, they further strengthened this connection through the Kendrick Cattle Company and the Sheridan Stationery Company.
Mary grew up in Sheridan, Wyoming, and graduated from Sheridan High School. She continued her education in-state, attending the University of Wyoming in Laramie. Her multi-generational roots give her a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing our state.
Mary’s professional life was dedicated to serving Wyoming’s families. She recently retired after a 40-year career as an elementary school teacher. This hands-on experience in the classroom fuels her passion for the “Educate” part of our mission. She holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum, Creative Arts, and Learning, providing a strong foundation for Indivisible Cheyenne’s educational programs, non-partisan voter guides, and public forums.
Mary believes that every Wyoming voice matters. She carries on her mother’s legacy (a charter member of WyoWriters) by fostering connection and camaraderie across the state. Today, she serves as the Vice President of WYOPOETS, the statewide poetry organization.
This passion for storytelling and creative thinking is why she co-founded Indivisible Cheyenne—to create a space where every citizen feels empowered to act, find their voice, and help write the next chapter for Wyoming.
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mary’s Favorite Poet, Philosopher, Lecturer, and Essayist.
