Charlene Solow Schwartz

Charlene Solow Schwartz graduated from Bennington in 1954 with a degree in social sciences. She wrote her thesis on the College’s finances and argued that the College’s fiscal health was not stable and needed a healthy endowment in order to survive. She tells the story of President Leigh attending her thesis presentation and arguing against her. Charlene later studied at Columbia University, graduating with her Master of Science degree in 1957. Charlene is President of Solow Inc., which has owned and operated hotels and restaurants for over 30 years. Most recently her company is managing and building Marriott Hotels in Philadelphia. Charlene was the first female franchisee of the Marriott Corporation and Applebee’s Restaurants. She joined the Board of Trustees in 2013.