Mary E. Switzer Memorial Building, U.S. federal office building
The Mary E. Switzer Memorial Building is a federal office structure in Washington, D.C., completed in 1940 and designed in Egyptian Revival style. Its light limestone facade features pylon-like forms and geometric patterns that set it apart from typical government architecture.
Built between 1939 and 1940, the structure was originally intended for the Railroad Retirement Board but was taken over by the War Department after World War II began. It received its current name in 1972 to honor Mary E. Switzer, a prominent federal official in social services.
The building has been named after Mary E. Switzer since 1972, marking the first federal building in the country to honor a woman with its name. This recognition reflects her significant contributions to government social services and remains a visible symbol of that achievement.
The building is located on C Street SW in downtown Washington, D.C., near other government offices and is easily accessible on foot or by public transit. The exterior can be appreciated from the street as it is a protected historic site that welcomes visitors to observe its architecture from public areas.
This structure was the first federal building in the country to be named after a woman, and Mary E. Switzer was the highest-ranking woman in the federal government when she retired in 1970. This distinction made it a notable milestone in the history of federal administration.
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