Archives: Spotlight Articles

In 1937, an enthusiastic group of artists and students established a new center for the arts on the Main Line.  In 1948, the group moved to “The White House”, a Victorian mansion on the border of Haverford and Lower Merion Townships.  This house is Main Line Art Center’s home today, and is more beautiful than ever after extensive renovations and additions in 2013.   The Art Center is bursting with energy as a place for art classes for the community, outreach programs (both at the Art Center and offsite) for people with special needs and the elderly, and exhibitions and community and social events.  2014 is a special year for the Art Center- it is the 50^th anniversary of the Art Center’s outreach programs and the 10th anniversary of the Art Center’s widely acclaimed Betsy Meyer Memorial Exhibition, as well as the first year back in the renovated building.  With a goal of providing Art for Everyone, the Art Center is a welcoming and vibrant community and a cultural gem on the Main Line.  To learn more about the Art Center, please visit www.mainlineart.org.

I have been privileged to serve on the Art Center’s Board since 2012 and currently serve as Board President.  High Swartz has been very supportive of my time commitment to the Art Center and has been a financial supporter as well.

During my time at High Swartz, I have also served on the Board and as Board President for my local Free Library, and for my local Civic Association.   For a number of years I was on the Board of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and its predecessor Chambers, and served as volunteer General Counsel to the Chamber.

Mary Cushing Doherty has been active in her community since moving to Horsham in 1981.  She and her husband Jim joined the Pre-Cana team of St. Catherine of Siena married couples who meet with engaged couples to help them adjust to marriage.

After their son Thomas passed as a newborn, Mary became a trained counselor for UNITE, Inc., which provides support to bereaved parents.  (UNITE is the charity featured by High Swartz in January.) She assisted UNITE in attaining its nonprofit status and more recently registering its trademark. She has served on the Board for over 25 years, 19 of which as its Chair.  Recently, she participated in the annual family picnics and walks in memory of the babies remembered.

Mary Cushing Doherty (far right) pictured with other walkers at the 2011 Walk to Remember

Mary and her husband Jim have assisted their parish, St. Catherine of Siena, with fundraising activities, including serving pizza and seafood at the annual Carnival for over 15 years. They served as lectors for 20 years. Mary also taught students in her parish to write sympathy notes at holiday times and to make ornaments in memory of children of parishioners.

Mary began sponsoring the ABA Family Law Section Partners program at Upper Dublin High School in 1998 and has been a volunteer team teacher thereafter for the advanced Child Development class discussing communication in marriage; Mary addresses the consequences of separation and divorce, particularly custody issues.

Mary Cushing Doherty (center) pictured with some UDHS students

Mary has volunteered as a family law Instructor and Course Planner since 1980, for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Montgomery Bar Association, Philadelphia Bar Association and others. She has also served as a lecturer on women in the legal profession. She received a national award as a family law instructor and local awards for her mentoring and leadership.

After her husband passed in 2012, Mary became active with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, raising money at the annual Light the Night walk for the team Chemist to the Stars.

Mary Cushing Doherty (center) with members of team Chemist to the Stars at the 2013 Light the Night Walk

High Swartz has begun an annual scholarship award in Jim Doherty's memory which will benefit children of the staff and lawyers at the firm.