Married since 1977 to Jim Folsom, Jr.; the Folsoms reside in their hometown of Cullman. They have two children, Meghan, age 25, a recent graduate of Columbia University and now serving as the Assistant Fashion Editor of Harper’s Bazaar Magazine in New York City; and James, age 21, a junior at Bard College in Annandale, N.Y. The Folsoms are active members of Grace Episcopal Church in Cullman where Mrs. Folsom serves as a member of the Vestry and a Lay Eucharistic Minister.

Mrs. Folsom is a member of Leadership Alabama. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Helen Keller Birthplace Foundation, the Executive Board of the Alabama Archives and History Foundation as well as the Board of Directors of the David Mathews Center for Civic Life housed at the American Village in Montevallo, Alabama. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Christian Women’s Leadership Center at Samford University. She has previously served on the Board of Directors of the Alabama Citizens for Constitution Reform and the Alabama Constitution Village Foundation in Huntsville. She was a founder and trustee of the Alabama Partnership for Families and formerly served as a member of the Board of Directors of Voices for Alabama’s children. From 1995 to 2000, Mrs. Folsom served on the Cullman City School Board and during that time helped to create the Cullman City Schools Foundation, of which she served as its President from 1996-1998. In 2000, Mrs. Folsom was elected as the Democratic Nominee for Alabama’s 4th Congressional District.

Her many years of service to the American Cancer Society include serving as the Annual Crusade Chairman for Alabama, the Alabama Division Board of Directors, Chairman of the Board of Directors and two years of service on the National Board of Directors. In recognition of this long-time service, Mrs. Folsom has been honored with the Volunteer of the Year Award and also the prestigious St. George Medal, for outstanding volunteer service by the National Board of Directors.

Marsha Folsom has also been recognized in our state for her advocacy in support of improving the lives of Alabama’s children through better services and improved educational opportunities.

As Alabama’s First Lady, she convened the state’s first Summit for Children which was dedicated to finding ways to improve the future for Alabama’s children. In recognition of her commitment to children, Mrs. Folsom has been honored with several awards including the Friend of the Family Award from the Alabama Home Economics Association; the Outstanding Children’s Advocate of the Year Award from the Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers and the Outstanding Service to Young Children Award from the Alabama Association for Young Children. In October of 2004, she was presented the James T. Tatum “Spirit of Giving Award” for her many years of service to the Alabama Constitution Village Foundation and its Early Works Children’s Museum.

Mrs. Folsom is a 1970 graduate of Fairview High School in Cullman County. She continued her education at the University of Alabama, and in December, 1973, graduated with honors from the University’s School of Human Environmental Sciences, from which she has received the Agnes Ellen Harris Distinguished Alumnae Award.

In addition to her many volunteer activities, Marsha Folsom owns her own business development consulting firm, Marsha Folsom, Inc.