Emelie Tracy Young Swett (after marriage, Parkhurst; March 9, 1863 – April 21, 1892) was an American author, editor, poet and translator.

She wrote both prose and verse, and in her literary work was often employed by publishers to translate French and German articles and books.

[6] It was in 1879, when the second Free Kindergarten west of the Rocky Mountains was organized, at 116 Jackson Street, that Swett, then an earnest, enthusiastic student, became deeply interested in the needy, neglected children of the Barbary Coast, that had been grouped for training and improvement.

[7] Unable to find employment in the city school department, she accepted a position as teacher of music and French in a private seminary at Eureka, California.

When Parkhurst founded the Pacific Coast Women's Press Association, she had hard work to find sufficient members.

[8] The dilettante rushed in with outstretched hands begging for permission to pay dues and be called authors and journalists, but the majority of working writers held aloof.

[9] Parkhurst wrote much in the editorial line, and her literary work includes Greek, French, and German translations and new poetry.

The principal work of the bureau was to write, or have written, finely illustrated outdoor articles for the eastern and London magazines.

She contributed to the Magazine of Poetry, the California Illustrated Magazine, The Overland Monthly, the American Home Journal, the San Francisco Call, San Francisco Bulletin, Philadelphia Times, Outing, Popular Science News, Golden State Catholic, Pacific States, and was an occasional contributor to other periodicals.

She was a woman of rare promise, possessed of great talent, which, combined with executive ability, made her a prominent figure in many assemblies.

Few women had so large an acquaintance; few will be missed by so great a number; and so a well-spent, bright life is ended, apparently cut short, yet leaving a rich heritage, a rare example to those who are left behind.