The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama will honor 11 outstanding women at their 16th Annual Women of Distinction Luncheon, Friday, March 13, 2009 at The Harbert Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Women of Distinction program pays tribute to women who have made special contributions to their community through civic, academic or professional involvement. This year's Women of Distinction honorees are: Dr. Syble H. Brindley, Retired Professor of the University of Montevallo; Carolyn R. Harper, Corporate Affairs and Communication, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC; Sheryl Kimerling, philanthropist; Penny M. Manuel, Vice President of Technical Services, Southern Company Services; Molly C. McGregor, President and CEO, Nonprofit Resource Center of Alabama; Samuetta Primus Nesbitt, Senior Vice President of Communications, United Way of Central Alabama, Inc; Frances King Quick, Attorney, Maynard Cooper and Gale, P.C.; Paula Rushing, Vice President of Finance, Alagasco; Isabel C. Scarinci, Ph. D., M.P.H, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham; and Lois S. Woodward, Partner at Balch & Bingham L.L.P.
In addition Patricia Mitchell, Founder and Executive Director of Auntie Litter, Inc. will be honored with the Mildred Bell Johnson Award, the Council's highest adult honor. The award is given annually to a woman who has a prior affiliation with Girl Scouting and has made a lifelong contribution to her community by distinguishing herself through professional, community or humanitarian efforts. The Mildred Bell Johnson honoree serves as a role model for past, present and future Girl Scouts.
Bettina Boateng of NBC 13 will serve as Emcee. Luncheon Co-Chairs are Sue Esleck, Vice President of Quality, Brookwood Medical Center and Sabrina A. Simon, Corporate Council of Southern Progress Corporation. Committee members include Leann Barr, Mariah Chapman, Phyllis Davis, April Deal, Dr. Virginia Gauld, Judge Debra Goldstein, Georgia Sullivan-Haggerty, Tessa Hughes, Dr. Jim Jolly, Susan Bevill-Livingston, Koko McCall, Heather McCalley, Ann McMillan, Judy Ivey Neil, Teresa Zúñiga Odom, Emily Hawk-Raley, Chris Ross, Marjorie Davis-Trimm and Alice Williams.
Several Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts will also be honored at the luncheon for earning their Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. These young ladies from around the community will be recognized for their leadership and service projects. The Gold Award requires over 65 hours of planning, community service and evaluations.
This is the largest fundraising event of the year. Proceeds from the Women of Distinction Luncheon provide direct support to Girl Scouts in North-Central Alabama, which serves more than 18,000 girls in 36 counties. The signature sponsor is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. Primary Benefactors include: EBSCO Industries, Energen, ACIPCO and Brookwood Medical Center. Many other local companies and individuals have generously sponsored additional corporate tables. For more information on sponsorships, please contact Marcy Miller at 205-980-4750 ext. 113.