Last Friday, 120 residents, donors and members of the LGBTQ+ community gathered at Weinberg Auditorium in The Pryde, an income-restricted housing community and community center for LGBTQ+ older adults on Harvard Ave. in Hyde Park, to celebrate one of LGBTQ Senior Housing’s founders, Aileen Montour, with the organization’s inaugural Founders Award Celebration.

Montour, who is a lesbian, had a vision for inclusive, affordable housing for LGBTQ+ older seniors, which led to the development of The Pryde. She stepped down from her position as LGBTQ Senior Housing’s board chair in February to become vice president.

“Over 10 years ago, Aileen rallied older adults to testify about the need for inclusive housing,” noted LGBTQ Senior Housing board vice chair Philippe Saad, who is gay and one of The Pryde’s founders.

This testimony led to a task force in 2018, which resulted in Montour’s “dream coming true,” The Pryde, which welcomed its first residents in June 2024. “Failure was never an option. We just persisted,” noted Montour.

“We’re so thrilled for Aileen,” explained Paul Glass, the program coordinator for the LGBTQ+ Elders of Color. “Aileen championed [the need for LGBTQ+ senior housing], got signatures, and we supported and championed her cause of promoting tenancy,” he explained.

Glass said he hoped that The Pryde continues to expand and provide more housing for LGBTQ+ older adults.

At the ceremony, Gretchen Van Ness, LGBTQ Senior Housing’s executive director, opened the ceremony and congratulated Montour and the “small and mighty nonprofit” she founded to “make LGBTQ+ affordable housing a reality.” Additionally, State Rep. Rob Consalvo, who represents the 14th District, presented a citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives to Montour, which recognized her efforts and passed unanimously in a 160-0 vote.

Additionally, Boston City Councilor At-Large Ruthzee Louijeune and District 5 City Councilor Enrique Pepén presented Montour with a resolution from the council that celebrated her work, which passed in a 13-0 vote.

“This room, this building shows that [sic] your planning and dream came into reality… We’re always looking for places that create gathering places, that create community,” Pepen explained to Montour and the crowd.

Three Pryde residents shared a tribute to Montour and the impacts of the community on their lives. These included Thea Iberall, the first person to be married in The Pryde, Rob Quinn,who was one of The Pryde’s first residents and current president, and Eddie Whitman, who appeared in the 2025 GBH documentary “Living in Pryde.”

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“She has the kindness of an angel and the fighting spirit of a dog with a bone,” explained Whitman to the audience. “Because of her, my neighbors and I are able to call this beautiful building home,” he continued. “Your spirit made everyone a better person.”

Later in the ceremony, Keith MacDonald, the new LGBTQ Senior Housing board chair, recognized Montour for mentoring him as her successor. He also announced that the event raised $80,000 for the organization before any pledges were made by attendees. This fundraising exceeded expectations, according to Saad.

MacDonald also highlighted some of The Pryde’s programs, such as the Rita Hester Open Ballroom, which provides essential supplies like laundry detergent and food to residents at no cost, and The Pryde Resident Emergency Fund, which helps the community’s residents bridge the gap between unexpected expenses.

Van Ness noted MacDonald “stepped into this role with deep humility, dedication and determination, and we are so lucky to have him here.”

MacDonald remarked to attendees that he had “the dubious responsibility of living in her shadow and following in her footsteps.”

As Saad presented Montour with her award to celebrate her 11 years with LGBTQ Senior Housing, he reflected on how partnering with Montour inspired him in his work and life. Then, he held back tears as he read an English translation of an Arab hymn, “They Passed Through Here” in dedication to Montour.

Learn more about The Pryde and LGBTQ Senior Housing at https://www.lgbtqseniorhousing.org