The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama recognized 10 outstanding women at their annual West Alabama Women of Distinction Luncheon, Thursday, April 8, 2010, at the Indian Hills Country Club. This Luncheon recognized women in Marion, Lamar, Fayette, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Sumter, Greene, Marengo, Hale, Perry and Bibb counties.
The Women of Distinction program pays tribute to women who have made special contributions to their community through civic, academic or professional involvement. Of the 10 women recognized at the Luncheon, four were chosen as winners in different categories of Career Accomplishments, Community Contributions, Outstanding Educator and Lifetime Achievement.
This year’s Women of Distinction honorees are:
•Career Accomplishments: Teresa Costanzo of Tuscaloosa, Executive Director, East Tuscaloosa Family Resource Center
•Community Contributions: Debbie Bond of Northport, Executive Director, Alabama Blues Project
•Outstanding Educator: Dorothy Richardson of Tuscaloosa, Assistant Superintendent, Tuscaloosa City Schools
•Lifetime Achievement: Vicki Kerr of Tuscaloosa, Executive Director, Caring Days Adult Day Care
In addition, Dr. Julia A. Hartman was awarded this year’s Karen LaMoreaux Bryan Environmental Award. Dr. Hartman of Tuscaloosa is the Coordinator of Arts and Science Instructional Development at the University of Alabama
Other nominees were:
•Vickie G. Brown of Brent, Director of Student Services, Tuscaloosa City Schools
•Molly Donlon of Tuscaloosa, Real Estate Consultant and Community Development, Family Restaurant, Winzell’s Oyester House
•Melissa Russell of Moundville, President/CEO/Marketing Director, Business Savvy Women’s Group
•Gail Read Windham of Tuscaloosa, Former Owner (retired), Little Things
•Dr. Anne Witt of Northport, Adjunct Professor of Music Education, University of Alabama
Chairing the Luncheon were committee members Nancy Lambert-Brown and Jean Caldwell. Other Committee members include Avery Brown, Bunny Cox, Lois George, Pat Guin, Elizabeth Hamner, Sandra Jemison and Jane Searcy. Edie Hand of the Edie Hand Foundation and the CEO of Hand ‘N Hand Advertising, Inc. served as the keynote speaker. She is the best-selling author of over 20 books. Mrs. Hand recently co-authored Women of True Grit: Intimate, Informative, Inspirational, a book compiling 40 first-hand stories from extraordinary women of wide-ranging backgrounds and professions.
Proceeds from the West Alabama Women of Distinction Luncheon provide direct support to Girl Scouts in North-Central Alabama, which serves more than 19,000 girls in 36 counties. Sponsors included Alabama Power Company and Mercedes-Benz U.S. Many other local companies and individuals generously sponsored additional corporate tables.
The Women of Distinction program pays tribute to women who have made special contributions to their community through civic, academic or professional involvement. Of the 10 women recognized at the Luncheon, four were chosen as winners in different categories of Career Accomplishments, Community Contributions, Outstanding Educator and Lifetime Achievement.
This year’s Women of Distinction honorees are:
•Career Accomplishments: Teresa Costanzo of Tuscaloosa, Executive Director, East Tuscaloosa Family Resource Center
•Community Contributions: Debbie Bond of Northport, Executive Director, Alabama Blues Project
•Outstanding Educator: Dorothy Richardson of Tuscaloosa, Assistant Superintendent, Tuscaloosa City Schools
•Lifetime Achievement: Vicki Kerr of Tuscaloosa, Executive Director, Caring Days Adult Day Care
In addition, Dr. Julia A. Hartman was awarded this year’s Karen LaMoreaux Bryan Environmental Award. Dr. Hartman of Tuscaloosa is the Coordinator of Arts and Science Instructional Development at the University of Alabama
Other nominees were:
•Vickie G. Brown of Brent, Director of Student Services, Tuscaloosa City Schools
•Molly Donlon of Tuscaloosa, Real Estate Consultant and Community Development, Family Restaurant, Winzell’s Oyester House
•Melissa Russell of Moundville, President/CEO/Marketing Director, Business Savvy Women’s Group
•Gail Read Windham of Tuscaloosa, Former Owner (retired), Little Things
•Dr. Anne Witt of Northport, Adjunct Professor of Music Education, University of Alabama
Chairing the Luncheon were committee members Nancy Lambert-Brown and Jean Caldwell. Other Committee members include Avery Brown, Bunny Cox, Lois George, Pat Guin, Elizabeth Hamner, Sandra Jemison and Jane Searcy. Edie Hand of the Edie Hand Foundation and the CEO of Hand ‘N Hand Advertising, Inc. served as the keynote speaker. She is the best-selling author of over 20 books. Mrs. Hand recently co-authored Women of True Grit: Intimate, Informative, Inspirational, a book compiling 40 first-hand stories from extraordinary women of wide-ranging backgrounds and professions.
Proceeds from the West Alabama Women of Distinction Luncheon provide direct support to Girl Scouts in North-Central Alabama, which serves more than 19,000 girls in 36 counties. Sponsors included Alabama Power Company and Mercedes-Benz U.S. Many other local companies and individuals generously sponsored additional corporate tables.