Mary Elizabeth Switzer | |
|---|---|
 Switzer, n.d.[1] | |
| Born | (1900-02-16)February 16, 1900 |
| Died | October 16, 1971(1971-10-16) (aged 71) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | public administrator |
| Known for | Director of Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Administrator of Social and Rehabilitation Service |
Mary Elizabeth Switzer (February 16, 1900 - October 16, 1971) was an Americanpublic administrator andsocial reformer. She is best remembered for her work on the 1954Vocational Rehabilitation Act, which provided a great expansion ofvocational rehabilitation service forpeople with disabilities. She publicized the government's growing role in vocational rehabilitation and encouraged expansion of vocational rehabilitation projects amongnon-governmental organizations.[1]
Switzer graduated fromRadcliffe College in 1921 with a B.A. in international law and started working for the federal government: first as an assistant secretary to the Minimum Wage Board and then forU.S. Department of the Treasury under thePublic Health Service and theFederal Security Agency, becoming increasingly concerned withhealth care issues.[2] Switzer became director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation in theU.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1950[1] and the first administrator of the Social and Rehabilitation Service in 1967. She retired in 1970 as the highest ranking female bureaucrat in the federal government[3] and became vice-president of the World Rehabilitation Fund until her death a year later.[2]
Switzer was the first woman to serve on the Board of Directors atGeorgetown University in 1969. She served as president of the National Rehabilitation Association from 1960 to 1961[3] and as advisor to many American health organizations, including theMenninger Foundation andSt. Elizabeths Hospital.[2] In recognition of her contributions to vocational rehabilitation, Switzer received thePresident's Certificate of Merit in 1948,[2] theAlbert Lasker Award in 1960 withPaul Wilson Brand andGudmund Harlem,[1] the American Association of Workers for the Blind's Ambrose M. Shotwell Memorial Award in 1962,[2] and theEdward Miner Gallaudet Award in 1970.[4]
Switzer received honorary degrees fromHofstra University in 1969,[5]Gallaudet College,Russell Sage College, and five other universities.[3]
Switzer died in 1971 and was buried inIvy Hill Cemetery inAlexandria, Virginia.[6]
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