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Mary Birch received a B.A. in International Relations from Stanford University in the early 1960s. She enrolled in Columbia University School of Social Work in 1963 and graduated in 1966. From there, Birch, married with one child, moved to Missoula, Montana where she was hired as the first social worker with the Missoula Head Start program. She completed a second masters degree in sociology at the University of Montana in 1968.

Birch began teaching at the University of Montana in 1968, going from part time to full time in 1970. She initiated a course in wholistic health and throughout her tenure at the university, continued to offer courses reflecting her interests in non-conventional subjects ranging from the impact of environmental degradation to a celebration of spirituality diversity.

In 1979, after a unanimous finding of discrimination by the University Discrimination Committee and the failure of the University President to implement the recommended remedies, Birch initiated a successful sex discrimination complaint against the University through the Montana Human Rights Commission. She was also very involved in the District Court discrimination suits of two colleagues, Marlene Salway and Patricia Roesch, through the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Through the 1980s, Birch became involved in AIDS programs in Missoula, Montana, attending training programs, conducting a research project, serving on AIDS prevention committees, facilitating support groups, and including content on AIDS in all her social work courses. In 1989 she was selected by the Montana Department of Health and Environment Sciences as the first recipient of the Outstanding Community Volunteer in Montana for her AIDS related work. The following year she was awarded sabbatical leave and spent a year in San Francisco, California, working in AIDS programs.

During her career at the University, Birch was instrumental in bringing about salary equity for women faculty. She retired from full-time teaching in 2000 and continued part-time on a post-retirement contract for another three years. She continues to reside in Missoula, Montana.