Anita Arrow Summers, Pioneering Economist and Educator, Passes Away at 98

Anita Summers, a trailblazing economist and devoted educator, has passed away at the age of 98. She left an indelible mark during her career, leaving a legacy that touched both her field and her family.

Ms. Summers was a key figure in advancing the concept of Federal Reserve regional bank economists delving into local and regional issues. Her dedicated work, as well as her groundbreaking role as a woman in the field, deserves recognition. She was not only an accomplished professional but also a remarkable mother who served as an enduring example of achieving balance and excellence in both her career and personal life.

A daughter of Romanian immigrants, Anita Arrow earned her bachelor’s degree at Hunter College in 1945 and later obtained her master’s degree at the University of Chicago in 1947. She furthered her studies in a doctoral program at Columbia University. In 1953, she married fellow economist Robert Summers and raised their three sons to school age. In 1967, she embarked on her teaching career, specializing in economics at Swarthmore College. Later, in 1971, she joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, where she headed the urban economics unit.

Anita Summers played a pivotal role in fostering the idea that Federal Reserve regional bank economists should focus on local and regional concerns, significantly impacting the bank’s approach to the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977. Under her guidance, the bank began to take this act seriously, leading to increased lending in underprivileged areas.

In 1979, Ms. Summers joined the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where she revived the dormant public policy studies program. She formed and later chaired a department dedicated to public policy studies. Her notable publications include “Economic Development Within the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area” (1987) and “Urban Change in the United States and Western Europe: Comparative Analysis and Policy” (1999).

Ms. Summers tackled numerous issues throughout her career, including education equity, government effectiveness, and urban development. Her dedication to making government more efficient and better governed was a central theme in her work. She believed that sound policies should be informed by carefully collected data and evidence, enabling individuals to prosper more easily.

From 2001 to 2003, Anita Summers served as Penn’s ombudsman, dealing with complex issues like allegations of sexual harassment involving university staff. She hailed from a family of economists, where the focus was on practical progressivism and effective governance.

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Her remarkable legacy serves as an inspiration to all, emphasizing the importance of doing one’s best and fully embracing life. Anita Arrow Summers is survived by her three sons, Lawrence, John, and Richard, along with her seven grandchildren.

Services to honor her life will take place on October 25, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Beth David Reform Congregation in Gladwyne.

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