It all began as a quest for a swimming pool.

Cindy Doyle spent five mornings a week swimming at her local YMCA in Providence. The only downside of her decision to make the Vineyard her year-round home in 2001 was the absence of a pool for her daily workout. “I found out about this group that was trying to build a pool here. And I thought, well that’s something I could get behind,” explained Mrs. Doyle.

Thus began a remarkable relationship between a self-proclaimed “wash-ashore” and her new Island’s volunteer community.

In Providence, Mrs. Doyle was a full-time therapist in a private practice. Aware of the limitations her profession placed on forging friendships, she resolved to take a year-long sabbatical and spend her free time getting to know her new Island neighbors. “There were two selfish reasons for getting involved with something when I moved here. The first was that I wanted to swim. The second was because I wanted to meet people. I got involved with the group that was trying to build an aquatics center that then turned into the Y,” said Mrs. Doyle.

Her self-effacing manner gives little indication of Mrs. Doyle’s far-reaching influence in this community. Her pursuit for a pool morphed into the establishment of a Martha’s Vineyard YMCA concept, and a campaign to build an entire recreational YMCA community center.

The YMCA project broke ground last Monday.

Though her quiet excitement is evident, Mrs. Doyle has little desire to bask in praise for the accomplishment. The victory belongs to everyone, she said. “I don’t have a day job, so I have this advantage. There are people who have spent as much time as I have [who work during the day]. I’m in awe of a lot of those people. The only thing I have is free time.”

Mrs. Doyle’s plans to resume work as a therapist after a year never materialized. But her modest claim to free time is arguably inaccurate. In addition to her role as board member for the Vineyard YMCA, Mrs. Doyle is also a cofounder and board member of the MV Donors Collaborative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding philanthropy on the Island. It seems safe to say that any free time Mrs. Doyle might have is spent helping others find ways to contribute.

On top of that, Mrs. Doyle noticed a lack of attention to the Island’s youth community while serving on the Dukes County Health Council. She responded by launching the Martha’s Vineyard Youth Task Force, an organization dedicated to addressing a growing substance abuse problem among the youth population.

“I see things that are missing,” explained Mrs. Doyle. “You can’t wait for somebody else to do stuff. I’ve learned in life that that somebody is here,” she added, pointing to herself.

Her selfless dedication to volunteerism and her hopeful outlook have not gone unnoticed.

Women Empowered, a nonprofit Island organization designed to educate and support women and men through different life challenges, has named Mrs. Doyle Empowered Woman of the Year. She is the first woman to receive the honor, and she will be presented with the award at a Women Empowered brunch held Saturday at Mediterranean Restaurant.

“One of the criteria [for the honor] is a woman who gives her time, talent or treasure, through one major cause or over time through a variety of causes. That definitely is what Cindy has done,” said Women Empowered executive director Sheila Bracy. “Even though she does a lot of this work, she doesn’t seek a lot of acclaim. [But] we really think she’s an inspiration to others, and a role model. Sometimes it’s the quietest one in the group who is really getting the most done.”

What more could be on the horizon for a woman whose contributions already extend to the furthest corners of the Island?

Perhaps a project that will bring her a bit closer to home.

“My latest volunteer effort is that I’m a new grandmother,” said Mrs. Doyle, smiling widely. “Now I just get to totally enjoy my daughter’s little girl.”