Women of Distinction

Congratulations Geri Kaplan-Downs

2024 recipient of the Distinguished Personal Achievement Award

Join Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York as we honor Geri on

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

6-8 pm

West Side Ballroom, 253 New York Rd., Plattsburgh, NY 12903

Reception with cash bar, followed by awards program

Register by 9/18

Event Tickets: $50 Pearl Society: $100 Sponsorships available!

What is the Women of Distinction Event? toggle arrow

Women of Distinction is a nationwide Girl Scouts of the USA program that recognizes the achievements of women. As Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York educates girls to be future community leaders, we want to recognize the community leaders of today. Since 1985, GSNENY has been hosting Women of Distinction events across the council. Honorees are awarded for their strength of character, dedicated community service, emphasis on lifelong learning, along with their dedication to fostering self-confidence and leadership skills in others. These events are one of many ways we keep Girl Scouting vibrant in our communities. Many women who are leaders in their fields credit Girl Scouting with helping them build the set of skills that paved their road to success.

Submit a Nomination HERE

Questions can be directed to our Philanthropy team at 518.563.1560.

Attend the Event toggle arrow

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

6-8 pm

West Side Ballroom, 253 New York Rd., Plattsburgh, NY 12903

Reception with cash bar, followed by awards program

Register by 9/18

Event Tickets: $50 Pearl Society: $100 Sponsorships available!

All funds raised from the Women of Distinction event will support the growing demand for our programming, so thousands of Girl Scouts in northeastern New York can empower themselves for a lifetime of leadership, success, and adventure.

Our Honorees toggle arrow

We were so pleased to honor the 2024 Woman of Distinction:

· Karen Dispo-De Boos, MNM, Accounts Receivable Specialist at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital – Distinguished Personal Achievement Award

We are accepting nominations for the 2025 Women of Distinction from October through December 2024. Submit a nomination today!

Get Involved toggle arrow

There are lots of ways to get involved:

· Use your network and social media savvy to suggest others submit nominations. Nominations for the following year are accepted from October through December annually.

· Join the committee. If you would like to help plan and execute the event, please contact our Philanthropy team at 518.563.1560 or email us.

· Join the Pearl Society! These individual sponsorship levels are great ways to show your steadfast commitment to support Girl Scouting through the Women of Distinction event. Email or call our Philanthropy team for next steps.

· Connect the committee with a potential sponsor; email contact information of a potential sponsor and the committee will follow up!

· Attend the event! Let us know to add you to the invitation list.

Become A Sponsor toggle arrow

Our sponsors make Girl Scouting possible for thousands of girls!

Sponsorship opportunities will be announced in 2024! Stay tuned for more information.

Pearl Society toggle arrow

The Pearl Society provides an opportunity for donors to support Girl Scouts at a leadership level.

The Pearl Society is named in honor of a selfless act by Juliette Gordon Low. In 1915, three years after founding the Girl Scout Movement, she sold her strand of matching natural pearls to support Girl Scouts for another year. If her actions inspire you to strengthen your commitment to Girl Scouting, email or call our Philanthropy team for next steps.

Questions can be directed to our Philanthropy team at 518.563.1560.

Past Honorees toggle arrow

Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York is proud to have honored women who have made an impact on lives and communities throughout the North Country! Women of Distinction honorees from the past several years include:

2023

Karen Dispo-De Boos, MNM, Distinguished Community Leader
Jordanna Mallach, Distinguished Trailblazer
Dr. Liou Xie, Environmental Activist
Lauren Colver-Currie, Distinguished Personal Achievement

2022

Meghan Weeden, Distinguished Community Leader
Amanda L. Bulris-Allen, LMSW, Distinguished Trailblazer
Gina Lindsey, Distinguished Personal Achievement
Stephanie Radcliffe, Climate Change Champion

2021

Ms. Ellen Bouchard, Distinguished Personal Achievement
Ms. Kara Maggy, Distinguished Leader of Tomorrow
Ms. Jacqueline Prather, Lifetime Achievement

2020

No event due to pandemic

2019

Ms. Jacqueline M. Kelleher Esq., Distinguished Trailblazer

Ms. Cathy Dove, Ed.D., Distinguished Personal Achievement

Ms. Jennifer Moore, Distinguished Community Leader

Ms. Essence Hightower, Distinguished Leader of Tomorrow
Ms. Miriam Lane, Innovative Leader Award

2018

Michelle LeBeau, Distinguished Trailblazer

Kimberly Davis, Distinguished Trailblazer

Sally Meisenheimer, Distinguished Personal Achievement

Linda Bourgeois, Distinguished Community Leader

2017

Mary Skillan, Lifelong Impact

Barbara Rice, Distinguished Trailblazer

Meg LeFevre, Distinguished Personal Achievement

Anastasia L. Pratt, Ph.D., Distinguished Community Leader

2016

Deena Giltz McCullough, Distinguished Community Leader

MaryAnne Bukolt-Ryder, Distinguished Trailblazer

Katelyn Dufrane, Distinguished Leader of Tomorrow

Edna Coonrod, Distinguished Personal Achievement

2015

Alice Recore, Distinguished Trailblazer

Alice Sample, Distinguished Community Leader

Hannah Provost, Distinguished Personal Achievement

Maxine Perry, Distinguished Personal Achievement

2014

Devi Momot, Distinguished Trailblazer

Kaysie Kyler, Distinguished Personal Achievement

Christine Darrah, Distinguished Leader of Tomorrow

Tonia Finnegan, Distinguished Community Leader