Girl Scouts to celebrate women of distinction
Date: 4/14/2010
April 14, 2010.By Lori Szepelak
Correspondent
HOLYOKE -- The Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) will celebrate two decades of "women of distinction" at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House on April 20.
"These outstanding local women have made a difference in the lives of so many, significantly impacting our communities through their commitment, creativity, energy and inspiration," Dana Carnegie, communications manager, GSCWM, said.
Carnegie noted that with the "generous support" of sponsors and all who attend the celebration, she hopes to raise more than $30,000 to support Girl Scout teen leadership programs throughout the region.
"During a difficult economy we are especially pleased that so many are stepping forward to help Girl Scouts build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place," said Carnegie.
The special 20th anniversary celebration will include a reception and dinner program, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The menu includes an orchard chicken/maple salmon combo or eggplant roulade. A highlight of the evening will be a silent auction which will feature restaurant gift certificates, nature photography, wreaths, gift baskets and two admissions to Bay Path College's upcoming Women's Leadership Conference.
Hosted by honorary co-chairs and former Women of Distinction Michele Megas Ditomassi, Dianne Fuller Doherty and Elizabeth D'Amour, the event will celebrate the many exemplary women who have taken action, demonstrated leadership and inspired others, according to Carnegie. In the past, women were nominated and selected based on certain themes and criteria. This year, the event will be exclusively a celebration of all previous honorees.
Honorees are:
• From 1991: Sen. Linda Melconian.
• From 1992: Juanita Martinez.
• From 1993: Naomi White, Patricia Crutchfield, Barbara Young and Sue Root.
• From 1994: Sister Mary Caritas, Barbara Stechenberg, M.D., Maria Idali Torres, Ph.D., Louise Corcoran, Martha Nelson Patrick and Denise Messina.
• From 1995: Rita Tremble, Emily Bader, Barbara Rohan, Dot Lortie and Patricia Sadin.
• From 1996: Donna Boivin.
• From 1997: June H. Cook, Claire D'Amour, Michele Megas Ditomassi, Charlene Forgue, Sylvia Jacintho, Joan Kohn, Louise Locario, Esther "Candy" V. O'Neill, Loretta Ryans, Maureen Skipper and Mary Patricia Toye.
• From 1998: Paula Meara, Dora Robinson, Dr. Carol Leary, Dr. Kathleen Grady, Jane Kantany, Patricia Connors, Lisa Davis and Lorraine Gorham.
• From 1999: Helen "Bunny" Fuller, Mary Ellen Miller, Martha Richards, Jane Wilburn Sapp, Suzanne Strempek Shea and Peggy Starr.
• From 2000: Mary Ellen Canavan Scott, Dr. Gail Carberry, Carol Moore Cutting, Trish Hannon, Mary Reardon Johnson, Phyllis Higginston Magoon, Debra Murphy and Deborah Onslow.
• From 2001: Anne Drapalski, Mildred Dunbar, Lucille Gibbs, Marjorie Guess, Rep. Cheryl Rivera, Regina "Deena" Shriver and Diane Troderman.
• From 2002: Meliset Garcia, Lucy Giuggio, Kerry Kuhlman, Kristi Nelson, Tracey Thomas-Crump and Yvonne Williams.
• From 2003: Rosemarie Brandoli-Patterson, Etta Hill, Lucille Kolish, Ethel Lee and Pat Scheer.
• From 2004: Dianne Fuller Doherty, Anne Melissa Dowling, Susan Jaye-Kaplan, Dr. Grace Makari-Judson, Judith A. Matt and Dr. Carla Oleska.
• From 2005: Nancy Bazanchuk, Eva Gomez, Cherylyn Hatchett, Candy Oyler and Mary McGovern Walachy.
• From 2006: Vera Baker, Dr. Mary Anne Herron, Sr. Mary T. Quinn, Marilyn Spedding and Nancy Urbschat.
• From 2007: Alice Babcock, Rev. Dr. Cellastine P. Bailey, Cheryl Condon, Denise R. Jordan and L'Kuicha (Leslie) R. Parks.
• From 2008: Gina M. Barry, Elizabeth D'Amour, Milta Franco, Cathy Frye, Maureen Viturale, Carol Johnson and Patricia A. Spradley.
• From 2009: Shirley Edgerton, Sarah Perez McAdoo, Linda Randall and Cheryl Rumley.
Rebecca Caplice will also be honored.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.gscwm.org and are $55 per person. Any amount donated over $35 per person may be a charitable contribution to the extent allowable by law. The event is open to the public.
For more information, contact Brenda Wolfe at 224-4032 or at
bwolfe@gscwm.org.
