Mary Elizabeth Switzer (February 16, 1900 - October 16, 1971) was an American public administrator and social reformer.

in international law and started working for the federal government: first as an assistant secretary to the Minimum Wage Board and then for U.S. Department of the Treasury under the Public Health Service and the Federal Security Agency, becoming increasingly concerned with health care issues.

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.

She served as president of the National Rehabilitation Association from 1960 to 1961[3] and as advisor to many American health organizations, including the Menninger Foundation and St. Elizabeths Hospital.

[3] Switzer died in 1971 and was buried in Ivy Hill Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia.