Veteran picture editor and researcher Mary Goljenboom founded Ferret Research, Inc. in 1988. Today our primary research is women's history although we provide specialty research to select clients.

Ferret Research expanded into publishing with the Waukegan Historical Society's 2001 Calendar in honor of the new millennium, and  First Ladies of Business: A Journal of Professional Determination, Mary Goljenboom's first book. The historical society calendar won a bronze award in the National Calendar Awards™ competition. 

With a degree in education, creating lectures and seminars was a natural extension for Mary. She regularly speaks to clubs, trade groups, college classes, and historical societies about historic American businesswomen. Mary has also created and taught seminars and workshops on picture research for the American Society of Picture Professionals, the publishing program at the University of Chicago, the Picture Agency Council of America, and private companies.