Women of Distinction | Girl Scouts of South Carolina

Join us in championing the changemakers of today who inspire our leaders of tomorrow!

We are proud to present our annual Women of Distinction events: Midlands and Boots & Pearls. These events recognize women who exemplify our mission by inspiring Girl Scouts to dream, explore, and become creative problem solvers. Our council started its first Women of Distinction event in 1993 in the Midlands and expanded to its second event, Boots & Pearls, in 2013 in Spartanburg. Each year, these programs bring together and recognize purpose-driven leaders who, like our girls, are dedicated to service and leadership.

These community leaders show strength in character, dedication to community service, and commitment to encouraging girls. Girl Scouts’ courage and confidence are on full display as they run the event by emceeing the presentation, honoring the women, and working as greeters and representatives. It’s a truly inspiring event with a heartwarming mission at its core.

Join us at one (or both!) of our events as we honor our Women of Distinction. To learn more about each event, please click on the LEARN MORE buttons below.

Midlands

Boots & Pearls

Midlands, Greenville, & Spartanburg Women of Distinction Honorees

Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of all our incredible Women of Distinction honorees over the years. Each of these remarkable women has touched countless lives and inspired our Girl Scouts to dream big and reach for the stars. Their legacy of courage, confidence, and character continues to illuminate the path for future generations.

2026
Dr. Marjorie Boafo Appiah
Mary Breeden†
Laura Bordeaux
Cheryl R. Holland
Moryah Jackson
Andrea Johnson
Erin E. Johnson
Karen "KP" Parrott
Mariah Tighe†

2025
Julie Ann Avin
Laurin Chewning†
Mary Helen Dunn Wade
Anne Flynn
Frances Griggs
Dr. Alysa Handelsman†
Nicke Haney
Ashley Olayinka
Dr. Naida Rutherford
Mary Winter Teaster
Dr. Allison Spry Waymyers

2024
The Honorable DeAndrea Gist Benjamin
Micah Cook†
Marchele Garrett, PhD
Meredith Manning
Cathy McCabe
Georgia Mjartan
Savannah Ray†
Robin Waites
Teresa Wilson

2023
Traci Fant
Devon Holder†
Janice M. Smith
Betsy Teter
Dr. Ashlye V. Wilkerson

2022
Col. Katherine Brown
Judge J. Michelle Childs
Lt. Governor Pamela Evette
Tracey Jackson
Dr. Penelope Martin-Knox
Katherine O’Neill
Virginia Peterkin
Senator Katrina Shealy
Kim Wellman

2021
Dr. Amy Baruch
Laura Ringo

2020
Dr. Roslyn Artis
Representative Beth Bernstein
Meghan Hickman
J. Ruth Littlejohn
Stacy McBride
Nikole Mergo
Dr. Aubrey Sejuit
A’ja Wilson

2019
Hope Blackley-Logan
Jill Davis
Bronwyn McElveen
Lessie Price
Suzanne Pucci
Elaine Smith

2018
Serita Acker
Valerie Manatis Barnet
Mary Ann Deku
Jane Dyer
Marsha H. Gibbs
Kathleen Lawson Gibson
Melanie Huggins
Erin McCaskill
Molly Spearman

2017
Representative Rita Ann Allison
Emily E. Clyburn*
Robyn Hussa Farrell
Therese A. Griffin
Sharon Brown Harriott
Debbie Harris
Amy W. McCulloch
Amy Wood
Xiaolan Michelle Wang Cao

2016
Barbara Blau
Dr. Gloria Webb Close
Tan Kirby Davis
Kathy Dunleavy
Adrienne Gist
Zandra Johnson
Lou Kennedy
Terry Peace
Dr. Kay E. Woodward

2015
Jan C. Burt
Joy Ayers Couch
Dr. Debra W. Hamm
Mary Kennemur*
Pamela P. Lackey
Jil Littlejohn
Laurie Parks
Dawndy Mercer Plank
Dr. Fern Powell
Sue Priester
Dr. Judith S. Prince

2014
Sarena Burch
Ruth L. Cate*
Elizabeth Dinndorf
Renee Buyck Romberger
Dawn Staley
Ann Marie Stieritz

2013
Randi Berry
Cynthia B. Cooper
Sara B. Fisher
Susu Johnson
Liz McMillan
Elise Partin
Barbara Willm*

2012
Carolyn Cason Matthews
Patricia Moore Pastides
Kay Thigpen*
JoAnn M. Turnquist
Genevieve N. Waller

2011
Bridget Bennon-Lytton
Mickey E. Layden
Donita Todd

2010
Reba Hull Campbell
Judith M. Davis*
Lynn Stokes-Murray
S. Anne Walker

2009
The Honorable Alfred Mae Drakeford
Bluma Goldberg*
Shirley Henderson
Mary Mazzola Spivey
Dr. Susie VanHuss
Captain Estelle Young

2008
Chief Patty Patterson
Sarah Shuptrine*
Donna Sorensen
Linda C. Stern
Ann Marie Taylor

2007
Florence Belser
The Honorable Mary Y. Clark
Libby Anne Inabinet
Martha Kneece*
Gina McCuen*
Louise Slater
Tiffany Sullivan

2006
Henri Etta Baskins
Karen Brosius*
Sarah Leverette*
Kim Wilkerson

2005
Dr. Suzan D. Boyd*
Dr. Bambi Gaddist
Dr. Linda Rochell Lane*
Anne M. Sinclair
Dr. Caroline Whitson

2004
Susan Benesh
Sharon Bryant
Dr. Sharon Buddin
Tameika Isaac Devine
Dr. Felicia Goins

2003
Charlotte Berry*
Patricia Caldwell
Susan DeVenny
Lilly S. Filler, MD
Gwen Goad
Dr. Anne L. Matthews
Lynn M. Williams

2002
Trude Heller*

2001
Dr. Traci Young Cooper
Claire Fort*
Ellen J. Gower
Rachel Hodges
Marie-Louise Ramsdale
Kit Smith
Marjorie Stands
Barbara Whitney

2000
Paula Harper Bethea
Gilda Cobb-Hunter
Gloria O. Crank
Tami Dennis
Toni Elkins
Elaine Gillespie
Elizabeth Mabry
Jessie Mae Manning
Joyce Martin Hill
Gillian Newberry
Betsy W. Teter
Virginia Uldrick*
Peggy Waller

1999
Pam Dwinnells
Norma Ferguson*
Peggy Hamilton
Carolyn Harbison
Gracie Simons House*
Mary Jeffries
Louise McFarland*
Mozelle Robinson
Pam Rogers
Minor M. Shaw
Marianna Taylor
Inez M. Tenenbaum

1998
Susan Aude
Frankie Childers
Vergene Colloms*
Laura Fleming*
Katie Adams Hodge*
Cathy Novinger*
Martha Scott Smith
Carolyn B. Shortt
Cynthia Taylor
Mary Louise Thomas
Jean Tulli

1997
Valerie Allen
Representative Rita Ann Allison
Linda Pearson Goode
Marianna Habisreutinger
Cheryl Harleston
Ellen Hayden
Alice Wyche Hurley
Jayne McQueen
Xanthene S. Norris
Sue Porter
Kristi Sommer
Ada Thomas*
Bessie Poulos Vastis

1996
Betty Broom
Flo Erickson*
Robin Gorman
Pamela Graham
Brenda Lee
Hazel M. Lovelace
Lillian Martin*
Johnnie Neese*
Andrena Powell-Baker
Carol Reeves
Linda Short
Gwendolyn M. Smith
Doris Trezevant
Sarah Nash Wilson

1995
Lynette Allston
Carolyn Galloway
Ann Marion
Barbara Moxon*
Mary Nicholson
Dottie Owen*
Bright Parker
June Shissias
Sandra C. Thomas
Doris Tidwell
Rose Wilkins
Pamela Wilson, MD

1994
Wanda R. All, MD
Gloria Butler
Ruth L. Cate*
Leah Cheek*
Anna Mae Dickson*
Linda C. Dogan
Sandra P. Hartley
Dana R. Johnson
Dr. Patricia Moody
Barbara Rackes
Nelle Harmon Taylor*
Pam Snape
Charlotte Walker

1993
Ellen Cooper*
Andrea Cox
Lillian Flemming
Bobbie Hagins*
Kathy Howard
Karen Mitchell
Barbara Orr
Gloria Rosemond
Millie Schumpert, MD
Justice Jean H. Toal
Sarah Wheeler*

1992
Sarah Butler
Corinne Cannon
Anne Collins
Judy Hamrick
Bobbye Mobley
Liz Patterson*
Diane Smoak
Helen Stockinger, MD

* Deceased; † Young Professional Honoree