On June 10, Girl Scouts of Colorado announced the 20 new Denver Women of Distinction for 2008 at an evening reception at The Landmark, an exquisite new condominium home complex in Greenwood Village. Women of Distinction honorees are selected by their peers and chosen based on their contributions to the community, both professionally and personally. The Women of Distinction commit to supporting the Girl Scout organization and to serving Girl Scouts today.
The 2008 Denver Women of Distinction are:
· Julika Ambrose, D.D.S. – Dentist, Private Practice, Retired
· Mary E. Baca – Community Leader
· Pamela Kenney Basey – Community Leader
· Margaret Brown – President, Colorado Business Bank Northeast
· Colleen Colarelli – President & CEO, Girls Incorporated of Metro Denver
· Kay S. Daugherty, Ph.D., R.N. – Denver Health & Hospital Authority, Retired
· Raylene Decatur – CEO, Decatur & Company
· Bonnie Downing – Vice President of Development, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
· Dawn Engle – Co-Founder/Executive Director, PeaceJam Foundation
· Lynn M. Gangone, Ed.D. – Dean, The Women’s College of the University of Denver
· Irene M. Ibarra – President & CEO, The Colorado Trust
· Frances E. Jefferson – Regional Administrator, Region VIII, U. S. Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau
· Barbara Kelley – Partner, Kamlet Shepherd & Reichert
· Mary Rhinehart – Senior Vice President & CFO, Johns Manville
· Lucinda Sanders – CEO/Founder, National Center for Women and Information Technology
· Sandra Scanlon, P.E. – President, Scanlon Szynskie Group, Inc.
· Lisa Snider – Executive Director, Colorado Ballet
· Teresa Taylor – Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Qwest Communications
· Lynne D. Valencia – Vice President of Community Relations, 9News KUSA-TV
· Barbara Yondorf – President, Yondorf & Associates
Since 1997, Girl Scouts has honored 328 women in the Denver area, all of whom share their commitment to the ideals of the Girl Scout program and help girls reach their full potential by providing mentoring, career exploration and guidance to Girl Scouts throughout the year. Over the past decade, this event has raised more than $2 million for Girl Scouts’ Outreach programs. Annually, the programs serve thousands of girls who would not be able to participate in the Girl Scouts leadership development program without special assistance.
“This is an incredible honor,” said 2008 honoree and Girl Scout alumnae, Lynn M. Gangone, Ed.D. “Girl Scouts is an amazing organization. I credit Girl Scouts for my path to leadership.”
Another honoree, Barbara Kelley, said there is more to the Women of Distinction honor than meets the eye. “There is a real meaning to this. This is an opportunity to get to know Girl Scouts. I am looking forward to this. The Brownies here tonight were the stars of the evening. I look forward to continuing to do things. That’s important.”
Helping out at this year’s reception, sponsored by Northern Trust, was Brownie Girl Scout Troop 285 of Denver. The troop helped greet guests and passed out flowers to the honorees. And though it’s been a tradition in the past, this year’s event didn’t include the roasting of Girl Scout s’mores. Instead guests enjoyed appetizers and desserts from Occasions by Sandy, as well as a Champagne toast to celebrate the new Women of Distinction.
Later this year, the Girl Scouts will publicly honor the 2008 Women of Distinction (WOD) inductees at the annual Women of Distinction Dinner in Denver. The event is chaired by mother and daughter duo Marilyn Van Derbur Atler (2000 WOD), author and national speaker, and Jennifer Atler (2003 WOD), executive director of Invest in Kids, and will be Oct. 22 at the Denver Marriott City Center. Liaisons for the 2008 Women of Distinction are Lena L. Archuleta (2002 WOD) and Carole A. Harrison (2006 WOD).
Girl Scouts of Colorado is where girls throughout the state gain courage, confidence and character alongside a group of girls who will be their friends for life. It’s a safe place for girls to explore their world, develop an understanding and empathy for others, and take action to make the world a better place. Girls are guided by committed, caring adults who make learning fun. No other activity helps each girl achieve her personal leadership pathway like Girl Scouting. Girl Scouts has been the nation’s leading expert on girls for nearly 100 years.
Editor’s note: For more information, to volunteer or to donate, visit www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org or call 303-778-8774. For more information on the Women of Distinction program or to reserve a table for the Oct. 22 dinner, call 303-778-8774.
