Toby Strout (1945-2017)

Executive Director, Middle Way House

Toby Strout grew up in Brooklyn but earned her Master’s and Ph.D. from Indiana University.

Since 1987, Strout served as Executive Director at Middle Way House, which serves survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking in Indiana.

“I found that we could make opportunities for people who didn’t have them and really make a difference in their lives,” Strout said. “When women come to us, the first thing we think is, ‘What courage.’” Strout won the National Historic Preservation award and helped create The RISE transitional housing program. Toby Strout passed away in 2017 and two years later was honored on International Women’s Day when Bloomington renamed a downtown street Toby Strout Way.