Audrey James Schwartz

Audrey James Schwartz, the first woman to achieve tenure at the USC Rossier School of Education and a frequently published sociologist, passed away on January 28 in her home and surrounded by family. She was 93.
Audrey published several books and research papers examining the public policy choices that could improve education systems, including a collaboration with her late husband and former UCLA Dean of Law, Murray L. Schwartz. She founded the Sociology of Education Association in 1973, which remains the first and only professional association in the United States devoted to the field of sociology of education.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Audrey was a frequent patron of theater and opera. She maintained a keen interest in design and architecture, and volunteered as an architectural docent in Pacific Palisades – where she lived from 1958 until her passing.
Audrey is survived by her three children (Deborah, Jonathan and Daniel), five grandchildren (Samantha, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Leana and Rebecca) and one great-grandchild (Alexander). The family held a small service at Hillside Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the Schwartz family requests donations be made in her memory to the United Way of Greater Los Angeles.