While the East Coast was crammed thanks to Hurricane Matthew on Friday, October 7, the Omni Dallas Hotel’s parking garage created a merry-go-round for Girls Scouts of Northeast Texas’ Women of Distinction Luncheon guests. Despite the parked-to-the-max situation thanks to the Momentous Institute’s Change For Good, arriving Texas-OU fans and Girl Scout supporters, Texas-sized SUVs suddenly fit into “Compact Only” parking spaces.
And leave it to the Event Co-Chairs Maggie Cooke Kipp and Heather Perttula Randall to run a tight ship. Promptly starting at 11:20, some of the luncheon crowd had to compare notes on whether to start with the Farmer’s Salad at their places before reaching arms-length to the tomato basil soup in the center of the table. Didn’t matter. Girl Scouts and their supporters adapt to their situations.
No sooner had the lights dimmed and the guests started their meals, than KDFW’s Clarice Tinsley announced the year’s recipients:
- Young Women of Distinction Award — Hailey Falies and Anisha Wadawadigi
- Women of Distinction Award — Sarah Losinger and Trea Yip
- Lifetime Achievement Award — Marianne Staubach
In accepting her award, Marianne recited the Girl Scout Law:
Kit Addleman, Marianne Staubach and Jennifer Bartkowski
“I will do my best to be fair and honest, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place and be a sister to every Girl Scout.”
She then challenged those in the room to embrace each of the elements in the law.
Staying on schedule, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas CEO Jennifer Bartkowsi told about the need for leadership in the world and how the Girl Scouts is the largest girls’ organization in the world. She then told how today’s Girl Scouts program is instilling innovation, risk taking and leadership in young women.
She went on to say that instead of asking, “Why me?”, Scouts are saying, “Watch me!”
Yvette Ostolaza and Heather Perttula Randall
A break in the program provided an opportunity to catch up, Yvette Ostolaza had just returned from the French Fashion Week. On the other hand, Caren Kline reported that she and husband Pete Kline had just gotten back from an 11-day junket to Scotland… With daughter-in-law Jenny Rees-Jones in tow, Jan Rees-Jones reported that she and husband Trevor Rees-Jones had moved into the new family homestead in July with the outdoor grounds still a work in progress. As for their former digs at the Ritz-Carlton, it was sold just recently… Speaking of moms-in-law, Lisa Cooley brought her future d-i-l Bela Pjetrovic, who reported that she’s decided on her gown for her upcoming wedding to Chase Cooley.
From the left: (standing) Jenny Rees-Jones, Jan Rees-Jones and Lisa Cooley; (seated) Bela Pjetrovic, Becky Bowen and Ciara Cooley
At 12:18 Kathryn Collins introduced keynote speaker/granddaughter of former President George H.W. Bush/Ralph Lauren daughter-in-law/former Brownie/Feed Projects CEO and Founder Lauren Bush Lauren. Applying lessons from the Girl Scouts, Lauren told how her “journey” had started in developing a worldwide effort to fight hunger.
Kathryn Collins
For example, Lauren’s Feedbag program followed her steps:
- Identify the problem — She learned that hunger killed more people than malaria, AIDs and tuberculosis combined. As further proof of the damage done to starving children, she showed brain scans of children suffering from hunger.
- Come up with a creative solution — When in Guatemala Lauren learned that children went to school because it guaranteed a lunch. She also found out that in some countries, the education of the daughters was not a priority. To overcome that situation, programs provided for girls who attended school and were able to take home food for their families.
- Create a plan to make the solution a reality — Combining her design talents and humanitarian efforts, she came up with the “Feedbag.” From the initial one, a simple burlap bag, has sprung an entire lineup of bags, pouches, go-to bags, diaper bags, backpacks, etc. Each is stamped with a number representing the number of meals provided for children.
- Put the plan into action — In addition to the sale of the bags, three years ago she launched Feed Supper, a 30-day fundraising activation, in which people host dinner parties designed to get people to donate funds to fight hunger.
Lauren Bush Lauren
Thanks to Lauren’s efforts, more than 95M meals have been provided throughout the world.
Concluding her 15-minute talk, Lauren revealed the mantra for her program was “Courage, confidence and character.” But she then said, “I would add comradery to this.”
Finishing up the day’s program, Clarice surprised the crowd with the announcement of a “unique award.” For the first time ever, the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas presented “A Man Enough To Be A Girl Scout Award” for “a man in our community who has made an extraordinary effort in mentoring and empowering women.” The recipient was State President of Capital One in Texas Kent Eastman, who was busting with pride over his honor. He challenged the other men in the audience, “Who else is man enough to be a Girl Scout?” He was rewarded with shouts of appreciation and applause.