盖茨曾于1975年至1993年任华盛顿大学校董事。她是金县联合劝募协会(King County’s United Way)的首名女性总裁,还是全国联合劝募协会(United Way of America)执行理事会的首名女性主席。值得注意的是,她在任全国联合劝募协会执行理事会主席期间与IBM的首席执行官约翰埃克斯(John Fellows Akers)共事。她还是第一洲际银行公司(First Interstate Bank)的首名女性主管。玛丽之子威廉·亨利·盖茨三世(比尔·盖茨)是微软公司的创建者之一。
None of my inventions came by accident. I see a worthwhile need to be met and I make trial after trial until it comes. What it boils down to is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration.
Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration. Accordingly, a 'genius' is often merely a talented person who has done all of his or her homework.