Mary Anne Schwalbe (née Goldsmith; 1934–2009) was a university administrator and refugee worker. She served as Associate Dean of Admissions at Harvard University, and was the Founding Director for the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children, now known as the Women's Refugee Commission. Her two-year battle with pancreatic cancer was detailed in her son Will Schwalbe's book, The End of Your Life Book Club.
Mary Anne Goldsmith was born on March 31, 1934 in New York.[1] Her father, James Alfred Goldsmith, Jr., worked for Hess, Goldsmith and Co, a textile firm founded by his grandfather. She graduated from the Brearley School in 1951, and in 1955 from Radcliffe College, where she majored in English and performed in drama productions. She then attended the London Academy of Dramatic Arts. She worked for Frederick Brisson and the Playwrights' Company when she wed Douglas Schwalbe on December 6, 1959 in her hometown of Westport, Connecticut.
Schwalbe worked at Radcliffe and later at Harvard University, where she served as Associate Dean and Director of Admissions.Schwalbe was a supporter of refugees cause in Thailand and later in Afghanistan. She was involved with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and was the Founding Director for the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children, now known as the Women's Refugee Commission.During this time she also served as an electoral observer in the Balkans.She also raised funds for a library in Kabul and traveling libraries for Afghanistan.
