Ann Thompson to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

The following press release was submitted by The Medfield Foundation.

The Medfield Foundation proudly recognizes Ann Thompson with one of its two 2013 Lifetime Achievement Awards for her five decades of work to benefit Medfield, including almost forty years service in town government.

Ann has been “everywhere” and involved in “everything” in town. Ann’s service includes as a Selectman for thirty years, the Warrant Committee, a CPR Instructor, a Girl Scout Leader, the Medfield Home Committee, the Medfield State Hospital Reuse Committee, the Original High School Booster Club, as a Medfield school volunteer, MEMO (Medfield Employers and Merchants Organization), attending Eagle Scout programs, the Original St. Edward's Parish Council, as a Medfield TV interviewer, the Medfield State Hospital Mediation Committee, the Home Committee, as a St. Edwards Church CCD teacher, Parish Council member, usher, and co-chair of the Prayer Shawl Ministry, the Friends of the Medfield State Hospital fund-raiser, as a Memorial Public Library volunteer, as a SNARC volunteer, as an American Cancer Society fund raiser, as a Library Trust Fund trustee, and the Lions Club.

Ann the selectman has been actively involved in town government, where she spearheaded a successful drive to install sidewalks on South Street Extension. Her leadership on the Boosters got the scoreboard installed at the Medfield High School football field. She taught CPR to thousands of people over 30 years. She knits scarfs which are sold from a Medfield Day booth to benefit cancer research. She helped organize and drive a "Performing Artists Series" which brought different music artists to the town to raise money, and also got the Boston Pops to perform in town.

Eileen DeSorgher says that Ann is an incredible example of what Thomas Jefferson called the “active citizen.”

Mike Sullivan notes first that "she has helped to inspire young women to strive for positions of leadership,” and that “Ann manages to mine the best in people.” He also calls her an “inveterate spectator, whether at sporting events, plays, musical concerts, scouting installations and award ceremonies . . .When she is not watching an event, she is usually in it.” Finally, Mike opines that “Medfield is a far better place because Ann Thompson has lived here for almost 50 years. I don’t know how she did it all, but she did. The next time someone tells you women can’t do it all, just tell them about Ann Thompson.” 

Tickets are still available for a reception that will be held in Thompson's honor on March 23.