Mary Holland, J.D.,- Is a distinguished attorney and advocate with over two decades of experience in the health freedom and vaccine choice movement. Educated at Harvard University for her undergraduate studies and Columbia University for her Juris Doctor degree, Holland initially pursued a career in academia and legal scholarship. She served on the faculty of New York University School of Law from 2002 to 2019, where she directed the Graduate Lawyering Program and held the position of Research Scholar. Additionally, she lectured at Columbia Law School on international human rights advocacy. Her early involvement in advocacy included co-founding the Elizabeth Birt Center for Autism Law and Advocacy, where she supported families affected by autism spectrum disorders through legal and policy efforts. This foundation in human rights law and education has informed her commitment to issues of informed consent, civil liberties, and public health policy reform.
As Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel of Children’s Health Defense (CHD), Holland leads an organization dedicated to protecting children’s health through litigation, education, research, and advocacy on environmental toxins and vaccine-related concerns. Under her leadership, CHD has filed numerous federal and state lawsuits challenging vaccine mandates and policies, emphasizing accountability for pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies. Holland has testified before state legislatures to preserve exemptions to vaccine requirements and has co-authored influential books, including “Vaccine Epidemic” (2011), “The HPV Vaccine on Trial” (2018), and “Turtles All the Way Down” (2022), which critique aspects of vaccine science and policy. Her role at CHD aligns with broader efforts to address chronic childhood illnesses, positioning her as a key voice in promoting science-based reforms and health freedom.
Holland’s involvement extended significantly into the political arena through her support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s (RFK Jr.) presidential campaign. In 2023, she took a leave of absence from CHD to contribute as a strategist, fundraiser, organizer, and director of volunteers, leveraging her legal expertise to advance the campaign’s focus on health policy and environmental issues. This role underscored the synergy between CHD’s mission and RFK Jr.’s platform, with several CHD staff members transitioning to campaign positions. Following the campaign’s conclusion, Holland returned to CHD, maintaining close ties to RFK Jr.’s initiatives, including his subsequent governmental roles.
Her contributions to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement further integrate her CHD leadership with national health reform efforts. As a recognized leader in MAHA, Holland has collaborated on policy priorities aimed at rethinking vaccine availability, chronic disease prevention, and food system changes, often in alignment with the Trump-Kennedy health agenda. She has participated in the MAHA Institute’s launch and contributed to the MAHA Commission report, advocating for reforms that echo CHD’s emphasis on medical freedom and accountability. This interconnected role enhances her influence in bridging nonprofit advocacy with governmental policy, supporting Vaccine Veritas’s objectives in health education and reform.
Holland’s accomplishments include expanding CHD’s legal and media reach, co-hosting podcasts like “This Week with Mary and Polly,” and speaking at congressional hearings and international conferences on vaccine policy and human rights. Her persistent advocacy has mobilized support for alternative health perspectives, despite controversy, and positioned her as an essential figure in the intersection of law, public health, and policy innovation. For Vaccine Veritas, her expertise offers strategic insights into navigating regulatory landscapes and advancing informed health choices.
