Girl Scouts honor women of distinction

Girl Scouts young and old began the Women of Distinction Awards Dinner Saturday by reciting the Girl Scout Promise and the Girl Scout Law, in which Girl Scouts promise to "make the world a better place." \nJerry Wilkerson, executive associate dean and professor in the IU School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, was one of the women honored for "making the world a better place." She partnered with the Girl Scouts of Tulip Trace Council, composed of all the troops in 12 counties in southern Indiana, including Monroe County, to organize a National Girls and Women in Sports Day at IU. She said in her acceptance speech that her goal is to allow 5,000 Girl Scouts to attend an IU women's basketball game this year. \nAlso honored was Gladys DeVane, a communications professor for the Kelley School of Business, who has been an advocate for people with disabilities. \nThe Girl Scouts of Tulip Trace Council honored five women of distinction. The awards were given to women who succeed in five categories: wellness, ministry, education, philanthropy and advocacy. \nAbout 140 people supported the Girl Scouts at the annual dinner, said Erin Kelley, a Tulip Trace staff member who organized the event. \nTickets were $40 and proceeds from the event will be used to fund college scholarships for recipients of the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouts. Last year, three high school seniors received scholarships, said Rose Lester, communications manager for Girl Scouts of Tulip Trace Council. \nErin Masteller, a member of the committee for the awards dinner, said the goal of the dinner is to seek women who can become mentors for the Girl Scouts, especially older Girl Scouts. \n"Girl Scouts give good mentors to women," said Judy O'Bannon, former first lady of Indiana and keynote speaker of the event. \nO'Bannon, a former Girl Scout, said she continues to support the Girl Scouts because it reminds her of her mother, who was on a board of directors and raised three daughters who were Girl Scouts. O'Bannon herself led a Brownie troop for 14 years. \n"It's still a rapidly changing world and amidst it, women are trying to figure out their place in the world," O'Bannon said. \nShe said although the roles of women are changing to allow them to have successful careers, they are still primarily caregivers and are faced with the challenges of balancing two different roles. \nO'Bannon also said after her husband, the late Gov. Frank O'Bannon, died, she lost everything. She said she had not even driven a car for eight years, but because of what Girl Scouts taught her, she was able to continue without her husband.\n"I don't think I would've done it without Girl Scouts, and I'm not exaggerating," she said. \nO'Bannon stressed the importance of supporting each other because everyone is connected.\n"When a storm hits, the storm hits us all," she said. "When people die of AIDS in one country, a part of us all dies"