Female Faces of Philanthropy: Dorothy Finley

Dorothy Finley has deep roots in southern Arizona. A native Arizonan, she and her husband Harold founded Finley Distributing, a distributorship for the Miller Brewing Company, in Cochise County in 1948, shortly after their mariage. They subsequently expanded the company to serve retailers in Pima, Pinal and Santa Cruz counties. In the process, they became as well known for their philanthropic efforts in southern Arizona as they were for their business acumen.

Dorothy has managed the company since Harold's death, and continues to find time to give back to the community through service on numerous community boards and commissions. A former Women's Foundation board member, Dorothy is committed to organizations that promote opportunities for girls and develop future women leaders -- a commitment that has its roots in her early work as a teacher and principal in the Tucson Unified School District. Since retiring from the WFSA board, she has continued to serve on the Women's Foundation Advisory Council.

Dorothy's community involvement and public service have been recognized by many organizations and institutions, including Davis-Monthan AFB and the University of Arizona. A graduate of both the Bachelor's and Master's programs in the U of A College of Education, she is the recipient of the Alumni Association Sidney S. Woods Service Award for her outstanding service to the College, the University, and the community at large.