Women of Distinction
About the Women of Distinction Awards
Women have always been strong contributors to the state of Alaska and to the city of Fairbanks. While many women have worked in the spotlight to effect change and improve communities, many have contributed behind the scenes. The Farthest North Girl Scout Council designed an award two decades ago that honors women who have made highly visible as well as silent contributions to the Fairbanks community. Each May, the Girl Scout council recognizes three women, at a banquet in their honor, who make our city a better place to live and who are positive role models for young girls.
The Women of Distinction Event is an annual fundraiser presented in partnership with BP. The community of Fairbanks recognizes and awards three extraordinary women, while supporting a positive program for Alaska’s girls. Funds from previous events have helped hundreds of girls to enjoy the fun of Girl Scouts in troops and at camp, from all around the state.
Previous Honorees
1997
Martha Harrell, Brenda Holden, Effie Kokrine, and Ann Secrest
1998
Rev. Shellie Brown, Poldine Carlo, Grace Berg Schaible, and Sue Wilken
1999
Vallie Byrdsong, Deborah Honea, Ruth Lister, and Rev. Mable Rasmussen
2000
Virgie M. King, Christine Smith, Coleen Turner, and June Ulz
2001
Annie Bartley, Erma Belz, Ruth Burnett, and June Rogers
2002
Nancy White Carlstrom, Edna Wilder Cryan, Emily Kemak, and Susan Redding
2003
Gloria Fernandez, Nancy Hanson, Dorothy Jones, and Ginger Stock-McKenzie
2004
Jyotsna “Jo” Heckman, Kyong Hollen, Susan Rainey, and Chelsea Walker
2005
Barbara Hall, M. Chris Hayes, Althea St. Martin, and Jo Ryman Scott
2006
Rosalind Kan, Patty Kastelic, Theresa Reed, and Marilyn Romano
2007
Samantha Kirstein, Henrine Gray, Ann Shortt, and Niesje Steinkruger
2008
Carol Brice, Lorena Hegdal, Annie Keep-Barnes, and Cheryl Kilgore
2009
Pat Cook, Lottie Fleeks, Mary Ann Nickles, and Bonnie Roberts
2010
Karen Parr, Wendy Redman, Jennifer Schmidt, and Barbara Schuhmann
2011
Mary Binkley, Shirley Lee, Peggy Pollen, and Jeri Wigdahl
2012
Bernice Joseph, Shelby Nelson, and Karen Perdue
2013
Sue Hull, Patty Mongold, and Connie Parks-Karl
2014
Mary Jane Fate, Jane Kauvar, and Sue White
2015
Sherry Modrow, Ana Richards, and Lorna Shaw
2016
Bonnie Johnson, Jennifer Jolis, Corlis Tayor
2017
Betsy Merto Engle, Becky Zaverl, Michelle Katz Bartlett
2018
Wendy Dominique, Dr. Mishelle Nace, Barb Walters
2019
Odette Butler, Billie Kassel, Teisha Simmons
2020/2021
Dr. Rev. Anna Frank, Dorothy Laiti, Lisa Sundborg