Giving Stories

After studying home economics at Mary Washington, Edith Gilbert Smith ’62 taught the subject to children and adults for nearly three decades. Becoming a caregiver for her disabled husband, a retired U.S. Marine who was denied military benefits, led her to a life of serving as a citizen advocate for veterans and their families.

Guided by the motto “Democracy is not a spectator sport,” Edith has spent 30 years helping families fight and win battles for their rightful survivor benefits. Her tireless commitment earned her the Distinguished Alumnus Award at the 2026 Reunion Weekend, recognizing graduates who’ve made significant contributions to their professions and communities while being leaders in their fields.

“I’m deeply honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Edith, one of four individuals honored by the Alumni Association Board of Directors (AABOD) at a May 30 ceremony in Seacobeck Hall’s Weatherly Wing. Alumni, faculty, staff, administrators, families, and friends joined UMW President Troy Paino in recognizing Edith, Shirin Afsous ’12, and Mary Helen Dellinger ’90, as well as Reference and Humanities Librarian Emeritus Jack Bales, who was named an honorary alumnus.

President Paino updated alumni on the ways that the University is striving to meet the needs of students and the regional workforce, highlighting UMW’s partnership with Mary Washington Healthcare to develop a proposed medical school. He also discussed the Center for AI and the Liberal Arts, a new hub for research, teaching, and public engagement focused on artificial intelligence and its impact on society and higher education. And he celebrated the UMW men’s basketball team winning its first national title and shared updates on the new theatre, which broke ground this spring, and the fine arts and music renovation plans.

Alumni learned that UMW has consistently ranked among the top colleges and universities in the nation, with Paino emphasizing that their alma mater is remaining true to its mission as a public liberal arts and sciences university.

“We believe that our education is not for that first job but for life,” said Paino, noting the importance of educating each individual student and providing them with meaningful high-impact learning experiences that prepare them for life after Mary Washington. “It’s not just transactional – it should be transformative.”

Alumni Association Awards Vice President Lisa Maloney Keyser ’05 then introduced the honorees, including Edith, whose quest for justice led her to countless meetings on Capitol Hill, where she doled out homemade cookies to open conversations with legislators. She testified before numerous congressional committees and spent decades educating surviving spouses on engaging with elected officials.

Their efforts resulted in military spouses successfully reversing a decision on property taxes and eliminating an offset to the Survivor Benefit Plan known as the “widow’s tax.” Edith’s recognitions include the 2016 President’s Volunteer Service Award and being named a Gold Star Family Advocate.

She thanked several fellow graduates who shaped her life and work, including Adam Fike ’97, who profiled her in UMW’s former alumni magazine, and Gary Woodward ’00 and Ben Hermerding ’15, who helped advance legislation protecting veterans and military families. She also recognized Kristen Finney, a surviving spouse whom she worked with for more than two decades, who was in attendance.

“More than any accomplishment,” Edith said, “it is the people with whom I’ve worked who I most valued.”

Shirin Afsous received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, recognizing graduates of the last 15 years who’ve distinguished themselves serving UMW in their professions and communities.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy on the pre-law track from UMW and a J.D. from Suffolk University. An accomplished commercial litigator, Afsous also takes on pro bono cases for domestic violence survivors, immigrant communities, and other vulnerable populations.

She has repeatedly made “The Best Lawyers in America” list and has been designated among top lawyers in Virginia and Washington, D.C. Afsous has served as president of the D.C. chapter of the Iranian American Bar Association, vice president of the national organization, and membership chair of the UMW Legal Affinity Group. She also mentors UMW graduates pursuing law careers.

“It is such an honor to be back at Mary Washington,” said Shirin, a first-generation immigrant who found her place at UMW. “I’m such a huge proponent of giving back and public service.”

Edith Gilbert Smith ’62 accepted the Distinguished Alumnus Award for her lifelong commitment to military veterans and their families. She thanked Ben Hermerding ’15, chief of staff to Virginia Delegate Kathy Tran, who helped move legislation forward benefiting surviving spouses. K Pearlman Photography.

Shirin Afsous ’12, a commercial litigator who takes on pro bono cases on behalf of vulnerable communities, accepted the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. K Pearlman Photography.

Mary Helen Dellinger ’90 accepted the Frances Liebenow Armstrong ’63 Service Award for her longstanding commitment to Mary Washington. K Pearlman Photography.

Mary Helen Dellinger received the Frances Liebenow Armstrong ’36 Service Award, recognizing alumni who’ve provided a lifetime of service to the University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Mary Washington and a master’s degree in history from George Mason University.

She served on the AABOD for five years and the Fredericksburg Alumni Chapter (now Regional Network) for over a decade. She helped establish an endowed scholarship and sends birthday cards, notes of encouragement, and graduation gifts to recipients.

A curator at the City of Manassas Museum, Mary Helen assists with UMW’s Museum Professionals Affinity Group and networks with students considering pursuing museum careers. She also volunteers at Homecoming, Reunion Weekend, and other alumni events and plans activities for the Class of 1990. She is a member of UMW’s Heritage Society.

“I want to thank my parents who modeled for me from an early age what it means to give back and volunteer,” Mary Helen said. “The staff at Mary Washington make it easy for me to stay involved.”

AABOD President James Llewellyn ’87 announced that the board unanimously voted to name Jack Bales an honorary alumnus of the Class of 1973. Jack, who earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Illinois College and a master’s degree in library science from the University of Illinois, spent over four decades educating students on how to research effectively and use library resources.

He’s the first-ever recipient of the Richard and Rosemary Hurley Presidential Commendation and established the endowed Jack Bales Research Scholarship, awarded for the first time this year.

“This is a tremendous and high honor,” Jack said, thanking his significant other, Janet Hedrick ’73, whom he met at a UMW Great Lives lecture. He only thought he’d stay at Mary Washington for a few years before returning home, he said. “Well, you know how that goes. I met people and found a good place for myself.”

Learn more about previous Alumni Association Award recipients. Nominations for 2027 will open in January. 

-Assistant Director of Advancement Communications Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04