in chemistry in 1925,[3]: 222 Forsyth began formal painting instruction at the John Herron Art Institute,[5] where she studied with Helene Hibben.
[7] Forsyth first worked as an instructor at the John Herron Art Institute,[3]: 223 Western College for Women, and the University of Texas at El Paso.
[8] While at the John Herron Art Institute, she organized her students' work in Indianapolis,[9] though she and her father were part of a group of people who were fired and then allowed to return on a part-time basis.
[8] The Archer M. Huntington Art Gallery acknowledged her efforts with a combined retrospective with William L. Lester in 1974, one year after her retirement.
[23][8] On March 22, 1985 the Printmaker Emeritus Award was granted to her by the Southern Graphics Council in appreciation of her excellent achievements in the profession.