On March 8, the Girl Scouts of Pioneer Valley will hold its annual Women of Distinction event that honors women for their significant impact, commitment, creativity and outstanding leadership in their areas of expertise. The award night also launches the celebration for the 95th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts. The ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House in Holyoke.

This year’s recipients in the areas of education, philanthropy, the arts, business and finance and health and fitness include Dr. Cellastine Bailey, Denise Jordan, L’Kuicha (Leslie) Parks, Alice Babcock and Cheryl Condon.   These women “Make the World a Better Place” which is what Girl Scouting has been for 95 years.

Alice Babcock is the Vice President of Westfield Bank.  She has added new products/services to make the bank more competitive and has provided marketing initiatives to keep them on the cutting edge of technology. Her good rapport with businesses, non-profit organizations, elected officials, and the western Mass. community has helped her to stay tuned in to the needs of young people. Babcock is involved with Abilities Unlimited, Kamp for Kids, Junior Achievements, and ROAR (Reach Out and Read).

Cellastine Bailey is being honored for her contribution to the field of education.  She is a fifth grade teacher at Rebecca Johnson School in Springfield and a professor at Cambridge College. She teaches science and technology to young students and trains teachers to use Microsoft software to develop and teach lesson plans. She is known for her sense of humor, engaging teaching style, and respect for everyone she works with. 

Cheryl Condon is an active member of the world of college athletics.  For 20 years she has been the head softball coach at Elms College. She is also a member of the Department of Education, NCAA Division 111 Northeast Regional Softball Committee and the Health and Fitness Director for Step Forward/Step Ahead program that supports underserved girls in the Chicopee, Springfield and Holyoke area. At the many volunteer softball clinics she runs for girls and women of western Mass., Coach Condon asks players, “What are you going to say when someone says you throw like a girl?” The players respond, “Thank you!” 

Denise R. Jordan has demonstrated her philanthropic contributions to the western Mass. community both professionally and as a volunteer. She is a civil rights officer for the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services.  She is the president of 5A (Academics, Athletics, Arts, Achievement Association), chair of the Election Commission, co-chair of the Youth Commission, and a clerk at FutureWorks and Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School for Excellence.  Her involvement in the community has promoted the cultural, educational and professional development for at-risk youth. 

L’Kuicha (Leslie) R. Parks is passionate about bringing arts to the Springfield community.  She has used her passion, spirit to succeed, and strong work ethic to train extensively in acting, dance, choreography and voice. Parks studied theater and business at Springfield College and UMass. Currently, she is on the faculty of Drama Studio Inc. and is the Executive Artistic Director of JELUPA Productions Inc., an organization that engages minority artists in productions involving social, spiritual and cultural values.

“Girl Scouts has a long tradition of recognizing women, who through their outstanding accomplishments, have made significant contributions to their communities and encouraged girls through their example,” Jill Paul, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Pioneer Valley said.  Each nominee is considered by a panel of business, community and civic leaders who are responsible for the final selection. 

This event allows over 1000 girls to participate in the Girl Scouts Team Leadership Program and is sponsored by Cambridge College, Baystate Health, Eastern Advertising Novelty Inc., United Bank, Chicopee Savings Bank, Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, the Herron Family and Westfield Bank. 

How to Get Tickets for the Event:  You can reserve tickets on line at www.gspv.org or call 800- 639-7047.

About the Women of Distinction Award  

The Girl Scouts of Pioneer Valley have been honoring local women annually who are outstanding in their fields or endeavors, have no fear of tackling difficult issues and act as important role models for our youth, especially girls.  Local women are nominated and final selection is made by individuals representing business and civic organizations.  Girl Scouts believe in continually affirming and acknowledging the role so many women play, both publicly and privately, in improving our communities. 

About the Girl Scouts of the Pioneer Valley

Girl Scouts of Pioneer Valley serves 4,000 girls in Agawam, Belchertown, Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Monson, Palmer, Springfield, Ware, West Springfield, and Wilbraham.  The organization was incorporated in 1955 and has been in existence in the greater Springfield area since 1914.

Contact:  Brenda Wolfe

               Office: 413-525-4124/ ext. 32

               bwolfe@gspv.org