2023 Elizabeth M. Forsyth Community Service Award Recipient
The Elizabeth M. Forsyth Community Service Award was created in 2004 to acknowledge the impact of individuals who have made significant contributions to the community by recognizing local needs and supporting solutions to meet them. The award was named after one of our co-founders, Mrs. Elizabeth M. Forsyth who set a tremendous precedent in her lifetime of service to the Lynchburg community and particularly to Miriam’s House through a generous financial commitment. This year’s award recipient has demonstrated significant commitment to Miriam’s House and our work to end homelessness.
BIO
MaryJane Tousignant-Dolan has been a member of Lynchburg City Council since 2016 and was Mayor of Lynchburg from 2020 to 2022. She and her husband, Ron, moved to Lynchburg in 1978 and she began a 40-year successful career as the Founder and CEO of Colonial Brokerage House until her retirement in 2007. Throughout her years in Lynchburg, Ms. Tousignant-Dolan has demonstrated tremendous community service—she is a current board member for Centra Health, Lynchburg Community Action Group, and the Lynchburg Redevelopment & Housing Authority. In years past, she served many local nonprofits including: The United Way of Central Virginia, Beacon of Hope, Amazement Square, the YWCA of Central Virginia, the YMCA of Central Virginia, and many others. In addition to her board service, Ms. Tousignant-Dolan can be credited with bringing the Day of Caring to the United Way of Central Virginia and establishing a Peace and Social Justice program promoting collaboration amongst the colleges and utilities in the region.
Since Miriam’s House opened its doors in 1994, Ms. Tousignant-Dolan has been a tremendous supporter and advocate for our work serving homeless families and individuals. Throughout her life, she has consistently advocated for the most vulnerable and most recently has worked on the Lynchburg community’s Poverty to Progress initiative to reduce poverty and increase the local median wage.
When not serving the Lynchburg community, Ms. Tousignant-Dolan can be found enjoying her nine grandchildren, traveling, reading, or playing golf.
REMARKS
Our 2022 EMF Award recipient, Dr. Verna Sellers, presented this award to MaryJane Tousignant-Dolan at our 24th Annual Luncheon on May 23rd, 2023 at the University of Lynchburg. Ms. Tousignant-Dolan, in response, reminded those in attendance that “the spirit of serving our neighbors [in this room] is monumental. This speaks volumes about the caring and dedication of our community—people who work in concert with one another. Not one of us stands alone, or is isolated, or independent of the other; we are truly interdependent. We are fortunate to be part of a community that shares the vision that embraces serving humanity.” She shared, “It is truly humbling for me to accept this honor named for Elizabeth Forsyth, one who exemplified the spirit of selfless service to community. Thank you!”
