John Shooshan, Arlington Community Foundation president; honoree Mary Ann Moran; Founder and President Emeritus William T. Newman, Jr.; and Wanda Pierce, executive director of the Arlington Community Foundation. Photo Contributed
A group of 300 community members, government officials, education leaders, and nonprofit trailblazers gathered to honor Mary Ann Moran, this year’s recipient of the William T. Newman, Jr. Spirit of Community Award at the Arlington Community Foundation’s annual Spirit of Community luncheon on Nov. 12.
"Mary Ann Moran has been a tireless advocate of children and youth in Arlington” said Wanda Pierce, executive director of the foundation. "Mary Ann epitomizes the spirit of community. Her gentle and unassuming spirit while serving the families of this community have made her an effective advocate."
Moran’s list of service includes involvement with Arlington's Task Force on Youth, resulting in the creation by Arlington County of the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth and Families, which she was appointed to co-chair with Diane Smith. She was also instrumental in bringing the Developmental Assets movement to Arlington and Arlington Public Schools — and has been involved with organizations and projects such as Teen Day, Project Peace, A-SPAN (where she was a board member and a volunteer for 25 years), Northern Virginia Family Service and more.
The Spirit of Community Award, named in honor of the foundation’s founder and president emeritus, William T. Newman, Jr., was established to recognize individuals and organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the quality of life in Arlington. Moran joins a roster of past honorees including John Andelin and Ginger Geoffrey, Anna Barber, Jean Berg, Elizabeth Campbell, Preston Caruthers, Judy A. Connally, Karen Darner, Jennie T. Davis, Rich Doud, Ralph Johnson, John T. McCracken, H. Paul Mount, Joan Cooper, Mary Ann Nirschl, Charles L. Overby, Lola C. Reinsch, Eric Schaeffer, Walter Tejada, Meg Tuccillo, George D. Varoutsos, and the Woman’s Club of Ashton Heights.
See www.arlcf.org.