April 18, 2025 3:20 a.m.

Earlier this week the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce named Tabbitha Layman as the Female First Citizen for 2024.

Layman was honored as part of the chamber’s monthly luncheon event at the Douglas County Fairgrounds on Monday.

Chamber Board Chair Jami Seal said Layman clearly possesses the characteristics of what it means to be a First Citizen, “…Commitment to Roseburg and Douglas County through volunteerism and active involvement, and the generous giving of her time and talents to make our community better”. Seal said, “She has been doing just that for nearly 20 years”.

Information from the chamber said that Layman’s volunteer involvement has included being a chamber board member, Project Leadership graduate and presenter, serving on the board of Roseburg Rotary Festival of Lights Committee and now chairing the event as well, along with being on the board of directors of Greater Douglas United Way, a CASA advocate, and on the board for the Music Off Central concert series in Sutherlin.

While honorees are normally named during the chamber’s annual awards dinner, Layman was out of the country when this year’s event took place last month. She didn’t know she had won until her name was announced at the luncheon. Layman joins longtime media professional Dan Bain in being one of this year’s two first citizens. Bain received the Male First Citizen of 2024 award in March.

The chamber has been giving out first citizen awards since 1954.