Mary E. Switzer

Mary Elizabeth Switzer (February 16, 1900 - October 16, 1971) was an American public administrator and social reformer. She is best remembered for her work on the 1954 Vocational Rehabilitation Act, which provided a great expansion of vocational rehabilitation service for people with disabilities. She publicized the government's growing role in vocational rehabilitation and encouraged expansion of vocational rehabilitation projects among non-governmental organizations. Switzer became director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation in the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1950 and became vice-president of the World Rehabilitation Fund until her death a year later.

Switzer received honorary degrees from Hofstra University in 1969, Gallaudet College, Russell Sage College, and five other universities.

Commemoration Mary Switzer Building, Washington D.C. houses some components of the Department of Health and Human Services Mary E. Switzer Building, Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center campus, Fishersville, VA, features a display of Switzer's memorabilia Mary Switzer Research Fellowships are administered by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services