Women of Distinction Luncheon

Save the Date!

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Women of Distinction Luncheon

Friday, October 9, 2026
11:30 a.m.
Hilton Anatole

https://www.gsnetx.org/en/support-us/donate-locally/women-of-distinction.html

 

Texas Women’s Foundation Empowers Women & Girls at #BESTSELF and the Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration

As part of its ongoing investment in lifecycle leadership development for women and girls, Texas Women’s Foundation hosted a powerful day of leadership, learning and inspiration on May 8th at the Omni Dallas Hotel. From thought-provoking conversations to unforgettable moments honoring trailblazing women and rising young leaders, the day helped support the Foundation’s mission of building #StrongWomenBetterTexas

The day began with #BESTSELF, where nearly 200 students who came together for engaging workshops focused on making smart, informed decisions, navigating the physical and emotional changes of adolescence, and harnessing the power of their voices to create meaningful change.

Karen Hughes White, Cris Zertuche Wong, Carrie Freeman Parsons

In the afternoon, TXWF hosted its annual Leadership Forum – a dynamic masterclass featuring microlearning sessions with the recipients of the 2025 Maura and Young Leader Awards. Author, speaker and 2025 Maura Award recipient Anne Chow kicked things off with a Ted Talk-style “ANNE Talk,” sharing insights from her book Lead Bigger. TXWF Board Director Deborah Hunter Johnson led a ”POWER Panel” discussion on advancing women and girls in STEM with 2025 Maura awardees Dr. Carine Feyten, Dr. Nuripama “Rupa” DeSilva, and Jennifer Bartkowski. Afterward, the crowd was treated to exciting “5 in 5” interviews in which two young students from Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, a Young Women’s Preparatory Network School, asked five “rapid-fire questions in five minutes of TXWF’s 2025 Young Leader awardees Haleigh Jones and Cristal Retana Lule. The Forum wrapped up with some “REAL Talk” between Anne Chow and NBC5 Anchor Deborah Ferguson. 

Theresa Flores, Liz Cedillo-Pereira, Linda Valdez Thompson

At the Celebration Dinner following the Forum, event co-chairs Debbie Dennis, Chief Customer Officer and SVP Human Resources and Corporate Affairs at Oncor Electric Delivery, and Brooke Hopkins, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal, welcomed attendees and thanked key partners.

Debbie Dennis, Brooke Hopkins (event co-chairs)

Texas Women’s Foundation Board Chair Carrie Freeman Parsons greeted event guests, sharing, “With clarity of purpose and your support, we’ve continued to fulfill our mission and grow our impact year over year for the past 39 years.” Carrie also introduced the individuals who nominated the 2025 Young Leader awardees:   

·      Trey Crawford introduced Haleigh Jones,  Crawford, Wishnew & Lang Attorney. 

·      Maria Mendez introduced Cristal Retana Lule, Children’s Health Vice President of Community Relations.

Dr. Carine Feyten, Haleigh Jones, Dr. Rupa DeSilva, Anne Chow, Jennifer Bartkowski, Cristal Retana Lule

Awards Selection Committee Co-chair and previous Maura Award recipient Brenda Jackson introduced the 2025 Maura honorees and their presenters. 

·      Kim Lyle introduced Jennifer Bartkowski, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas CEO.

·      Mylinh Luong introduced Anne Chow, The Rewired CEO Founder. 

·      Samantha Barakat introduced Dr. Rupa DeSilva, Parkland Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center Professor. 

·      Christopher Johnson introduced Dr. Carine Feyten, Texas Woman’s University Chancellor and President. 

·      Former TXWF Board Chairs Caren Lock and Shonn Brown introduced Cynt Marshall, Marshalling Resources Founder and The Dallas Mavericks (retired CEO), who was unable to attend the event. 

Dianne Chipps Bailey, Dodee Frost Crockett, Jennifer Chandler, Alesia Coffman, Crissie Fortmeyer

Dia Wall, WFAA anchor and reporter, hosted a conversation with the 2025 Maura Award recipients who shared their insight on everything from healthcare, to education, the wage gap and increased representation of women and Women of Color in leadership.

Karen Hughes White, Effie Dennison, Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, Caren Lock

Incoming TXWF Board Chair, Cris Zertuche Wong closed out the program by thanking all in attendance and invited guests to attend TXWF’s upcoming 40th Annual Luncheon at the Omni Hotel on November 14.

For additional partners and patrons, visit https://txwf.org/join-us/events/lfac-event/

Photo credit: Kim Leeson and Guy Rogers/TXWF

Hispanic 100 Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation Grants $114,000 to 29 North Texas Nonprofits

The Hispanic 100 (H100) Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation has awarded $114,000 in grants to 29 North Texas area nonprofits serving the needs of Latina women and girls in low- and moderate-income communities. Since its inception, H100 has given $786,000 across 165 grants. 

The H100 Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation was established in 2019 by the Hispanic 100 Network to further engage Latinas in philanthropy, and to expand resources for local organizations whose mission is to empower, educate and support Latinas across North Texas.”

Jennifer Treviño and Maria Espinoza, H100 Latina Giving Circle Co-Chairs, said, “We are honored to be able to support so many worthy organizations who are serving Latina women and girls across North Texas to live healthier and more successful lives.” 

 

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

(* indicates first-time grantees)

·      *Agape Clinic – Salary for Latina Director of Clinic Operations

·      *Attitudes & Attire –  Salary for a bilingual program manager

·      *AVANCE – Dallas-Parent-Child Education Program 

·      Bachman Lake Together – Community Action Network: parent leadership programming

·      Buckner Children and Family Services, Inc. – Dallas Family Hope Center and access to economic security

·      *Cannenta Foundation Inc. – Project Ayuda program

·      Cara Mia Theatre Co. – First Latinidades Art Symposium

·      Catch Up & Read –  Support for one campus

·      *ChildCareGroup – Born Learning Program

·      Family Place Inc. – Support for bilingual client-facing staff

·      *Frontiers of Flight Museum Inc. – Flight-Latina Young Ladies Aerospace-STEM Challenge

·      Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas – Programming for two Latina/Hispanic troops

·      Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas – Dallas Chapter-Latinas in Progress

·      Immschools – Family-led community workshops

·      *Mi Escuelita Preschool Inc. – Education Evolution Program

·      Mosaic Family Services Inc. – Support for survivors in the Transitional Housing program

·      Primos Dallas – Student mentoring program and to visit Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI)

·      Readers 2 Leaders – Family Reading 2024-2025 cohort

·      Rosa es Rojo, Inc. – The Rojo Way wellness program

·      *ScholarShot – Salary for Academic Manager

·      SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc. – SER STEM robotics program

·      *Sharing Life Community Outreach, Inc. – Expansion of program activities

·      *The Lullaby House – Support for education and program services

·      The Compelling Why – Two seminars and Leadership series

·      The Concilio – General support for educational programming

·      United to Learn – Student and educator support at 17 Dallas ISD campuses

·      *Volar – Capacity building support

·      Wesley-Rankin Community Center – Girls of Hope, Girls of Honor Program

·      Young Women’s Preparatory Network – Senior Mentoring Alliance at Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School

To learn more about joining the H100 Latina Giving Circle, visit https://www.txwf.org/h100latinagivingcircle/ or email H100latinagc@txwf.org

2019 Women of Disinction Luncheon

Omni Dallas Hotel

Event Chairs:

Venise Stuart and Candace Winslow

10:30 a.m. - VIP Reception (invite only)
11:15 a.m. - Doors Open
11:30 a.m. - Program Begins

Invest in Girls. Change the World.

The proceeds from this annual event support the Girl Scout leadership program, ensuring that all girls in our communities have the support, experiences, and opportunities they need to realize their potential.

Limited underwriting oportunities and seats available.

https://www.gsnetx.org/en/Giving/Give/wdl.html

Samoas, Tagalongs, and Do-si-dos are here! Girl Scout Cookie Program Kicks Off Today!

GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHEAST TEXAS (GSNETX) and GIRL SCOUTS OF TEXAS OKLAHOMA PLAINS (GS-TOP) are excited to kick off the 2019 Cookie Program, the world's largest girl-led entrepreneurship program, on January 11.

For more than 100 years, the Girl Scout Cookie Program has been teaching girls entrepreneurship, business and leadership skills and is now the largest financial investment in girls annually in the United States.

"Girl Scout Cookies are more than just delicious. Cookie sales fuel programming for our local Girl Scouts that they can't get anywhere else," said GSNETX CEO Jennifer Bartkowski. "Each box of cookies you purchase helps local Girl Scouts experience the outdoors, participate in STEM activities, learn about a different culture through travel, or improve her community."

"The Girl Scout Cookie Program is a powerful entrepreneurship incubator for the next generation of female leaders," said Becky Burton, CEO of GS-TOP. "Girls learn the skills they will need to be tomorrow's business leaders and entrepreneurs - skills like goal-setting, decision-making, and people skills." 

GSNETX and GS-TOP partner with different national bakeries, meaning cookies sold by Girl Scouts from Irving to the Louisianaborder (GSNETX) differ slightly from those sold west of Fort Worthand up the Texas/Oklahoma panhandle (GS-TOP). This year, a new gluten-free offering, the Caramel Chocolate Chip will be sold by GS-TOP Girl Scouts. The Caramel Chocolate Chip features rich caramel, semisweet chocolate chips, and a hint of sea salt and is similar to GSNETX's gluten-free Toffee-tastic®, which will return and continue to be sold in Northeast Texas. Prices for cookies vary by type and range from $4-$5 a box. 

For a full list of cookies sold by each council and to find Girl Scout sellers in their area, customers can download the Cookie Finder app, available for Apple and Android devices, or visit www.girlscoutcookies.org.

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Cookie Box Creations at Galleria Dallas

The Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas recently launched its annual Cookie Box Creations design contest and exhibit on Sunday, Feb. 9.

 This year’s exhibit features a theme of “I Can’t Wait to See the World” and will be on display at The Galleria Mall through March 2.  The exhibit is located on the 1st Floor of The Galleria Dallas on the south end near Sephora.

 Cookie Box Creations teams girls with women architects and engineers, in a design contest to turn empty Girl Scout cookie boxes into free-standing structures.This activity is great for girls interested in a career in architecture or engineering to develop critical thinking skills and promote cooperation and team-building.

Tagalongs, Samoas, and Trefoils -- oh my!

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (GSNETX) launched its annual Cookie Program on January 10, 2014. New this year, Girl Scouts will have cookies in hand, allowing them to sell, deliver and collect money in one easy step; to the delight of cookie fans across northeast Texas. Each box of cookies sells for $4.  The GSNETX Cookie Program will run through Feb. 17.

Also new this year -- Cookie Locator app!

To find a booth near you, download the Cookie Locator app for iPhone or Android by searching GS COOKIES in the app store. You can then search for cookie sales by zip code and share with friends on social media.  So easy!

Not sure which flavor to buy? The app can help with that too! Fill out the fun "What's your cookie personality?" quiz to reveal the cookie that best fits YOU.  Cookie flavors include the world-famous Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Samoas, Do-Si-Dos, Trefoils, Dulce de Leche, Thank U Berry Munch, and Savannah Smiles.

In 2013, GSNETX sold 3.6 million boxes of cookies. The GSNETX Cookie Program supports local Girl Scouts and 100 percent of proceeds raised stay in northeast Texas.

Selling cookies is more than a tradition; the Girl Scout Cookie Program is an integral part of Girl Scouts’ business and economic literacy initiative for girls in kindergarten through 12th grade. The program helps Girl Scouts develop five key skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. Girl Scouts also have the opportunity to earn the new Mary Kay Entrepreneurship patch, designed to inspire the next generation of female leaders through the Cookie Program.   

All girls who participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program are eligible to earn the annual Cookie Activity Pin (shown below). When they earn the pin, invite girls to share their accomplishments in each of the 5 Skills. Here’s how girls achieve the 5 Skills through the Girl Scout Cookie Program: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.

For more information about the Cookie Program visit: www.texascookietime.com.

10th Annual Share the Warmth Blanket Drive

This year marks the 10th year for Sleep Experts' Share the Warmth Blanket Drive.

From October 28th through Thanksgiving Day, the locally-based corporation will be accepting donations of new and gently used blankets, as well as sheets, comforters, towels and pillows, at any of 55 Sleep Experts locations in North and Central Texas.

The beneficiaries of this year's Share the Warmth Blanket Drive are The Family Place in Dallas-Fort Worth, and SafePlace in Austin, as well as other domestic violence shelters in D-FW and Austin. In December, Sleep Experts will deliver all the items collected during the drive to these shelters, in order to keep their families warm this winter season.

And for the third year, thousands of Girl Scouts from three Texas Girl Scout councils - Northeast Texas (Dallas), Texas Oklahoma Plains (Fort Worth) and Central Texas (Austin) will lend a helping hand. Girl Scout troops participate by collecting blankets in their own communities and will earn special Share the Warmth community service badges.

So how can you help?  Clean out your closet and donate a blanket today.  It's a simple way to help a family in need.

Girl Scouts delivering blankets to Sleep Experts in Keller during last year's drive.

2013 Women of Distinction Luncheon

The Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas’ 2013 Women of Distinction Luncheon, presented by AT&T, will be held on Thursday, October 24, at the Hilton Anatole.  Doors open at 11:30 a.m.

The Women of Distinction Luncheon, formerly known as Real Girls Real Women Awards Luncheon, recognizes outstanding women leaders and Girl Scouts for their contributions to the community. The honorees are recognized as Lifetime Achievement, Woman of Distinction, and Young Women of Distinction.

Funds raised during the luncheon help support various Girl Scouting activities and programs to more than 35,000 girls throughout Northeast Texas. Luncheon proceeds will allow GSNETX to provide the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to these girls and enhance four priority program areas: Financial Literacy, Healthy Living, STEM (Science,Technology, Engineering, and Math), and Outdoor Leadership.

The Women of Distinction Luncheon is chaired by Angie, Ann, and Kimber Kadesky. Clarice Tinsley will be returning for a 7th year as the emcee for this year’s event.  Luncheon Speaker is Talia Leman, CEO and founder of RandomKid, a non-profit organization that leverages the power of youth to solve problems in the world.

2013 Honorees Include:

Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient  -  Lindalyn Adams

Woman of Distinction  -  Nicole G. Small

Young Women of Distinction  -  Grace Charlotte Cooper and Alexandra Villareal

Click here to purchase a table or become a sponsor: http://www.gsnetx.org/wdlRegistration/

Save the Date! National Girl Scout Centennial Exhibition

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas to Honor Women Leaders at

Girl Scouts 100^th Anniversary Experience Exhibition Preview & Dinner Under the Stars

Peggy Sewell, Sally Hoglund and Matrice Ellis-Kirk to be recognized at preview event for “The 100th Girl Scout Experience”

DALLAS – July 12, 2012–To shine a light on the first century of Girl Scouting and celebrate our female leaders, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (GSNETX), will honor three Centennial Women of Distinction, Peggy Sewell, Sally Hoglund and Matrice Ellis-Kirk on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at the Girl Scouts 100^th Anniversary Experience Exhibition Preview & Dinner Under the Stars, the weekend before the State Fair of Texas opens to the public. Gala attendees will preview the National Girl Scout Centennial Exhibition, an exhibit created and produced by Dallas-based Corporate Magic for the State Fair of Texas to highlight everything Girl Scouts across the U.S. have accomplished in its first 100 years.

Presented by 100^th Anniversary sponsor AT&T, the exhibit will feature a virtual Girl Scout Troop and campfire, replica of Girl Scouts’ founder Juliette Gordon Low’s home as it was in 1912 in Savannah, GA, mobile app scavenger hunt, life-sized cookie boxes – large enough to walk through – highlighting the importance of Girl Scout cookies, and much more. The National Girl Scout Centennial Exhibition will take place in the Texas Hall of State and run for the duration of the State Fair, Sept. 28 to Oct. 21, 2012.

“Strong female leaders like Peggy, Matrice and Sally are so valuable to our girls ensuring there are role models for them to look up to as they succeed in their personal endeavors,” saidColleen Walker, CEO of Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas. “These ladies are the perfect mix of female leadership to help us unveil and showcase the exhibit. And, our three honorees all demonstrate the qualities and leadership skills Girl Scouting has been developing in young girls over the last century. The gala will be a night to remember.”

All Girl Scouts 100^th Anniversary Experience Exhibition Preview & Dinner Under the Stars honorees have made a tremendous impact on the Dallas community.

·         Peggy Sewell has extensively volunteered and served in leadership roles for many years with organizations including the Baylor Health Care Foundation, North Dallas Shared Ministries, American Film Institute, Dallas Museum of Art, Junior League of Dallas, Susan G. Komen, SMU Meadows School of the Arts, The Hockaday School and. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

·         Sally Hoglund is best known for her volunteer work in Dallas and Houston and establishing The Hoglund Foundation with her husband Forrest. Hoglund has volunteered and served in leadership roles for organizations including the Alzheimer's Association, Dallas Heritage Village, Texas Children's Hospital, American Cancer Society, Family Place Partners, Arthritis Foundation of North Texas, Easter Seal Society, Chiapas Project and Muscular Dystrophy Association.

·         Matrice Ellis-Kirk serves as managing partner of diversity services for Heidrick& Struggles. Additionally, she serves on the board for  the North Texas Tollway Authority, UT Southwestern Medical Foundation, The Dallas Center for the Performing Arts Foundation, Inc., and the University of Pennsylvania Board of Visitors.

The GSNETX 100^th Anniversary Chair is Cathy Coughlin, AT&T’s senior executive vice president and global marketing officer, and the Dinner Chair is Lynn McBee.

For more information about purchasing a table at the preview event, please contact Lindsay Cleland at lcleland@gsnetx.org or 972.349.2438 or visit www.statefairgirlscouts.com.

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas: 

Girl Scouts is the premier leadership organization and is the largest pipeline for female leadership. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas serves nearly 35,000 girls and 17,000 adults in 32 northeast Texas counties. For information on how to join, volunteer or donate to the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas call (800) 442-2260 or visit www.gsnetx.org.

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Cupcake Wars for Charity

Sprinkles Cupcakes will host the first ever Big D’s "Big News" Cupcake Wars on Saturday, January 21, at NorthCourt inside NorthPark Center. Gene and Julie, co-hosts of The New 103.7 Lite FM/KVIL will emcee the confectionary contest to determine which local personalities’ charity will take home a $5,000 grand prize.

Gene and Julie will kick off the event with a preliminary Q&A round, and each team’s answers will be factored into final scores. The following contenders will then have 30 minutes to frost, decorate and creatively display cupcakes in the spirit of their organization:
- Roni Proter of The CW 33 for Hunger Busters
- Clarice Tinsley of KDFW-TV for Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
- Amy Vanderoef of WFAA-TV for Hold the Door
- Brittany Cobb of Daily Candy for Make-A-Wish Foundation®
- Maxine Trowbridge of PinkMemo for Fashion Group International
- Meredith Land of KXAS-TV for LIVESTRONG

Founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes and judge of the Food Network’s "Cupcake Wars" Candace Nelson will join fellow judges: our own Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, Editor-at-Large for Southern Living Magazine; Barneys New York Concierge Jackson; and Owner & Pastry Chef Toni Rivard. Judges will choose one winning team to receive a $5,000 donation to their charity. The best part is that everyone wins! Sprinkles Cupcakes will also donate $1,000 to the remaining organizations.

Sprinkles Cupcakes Dallas – located inside The Plaza at Preston Center – will provide freshly-baked cupcakes and the bakery’s famous frosting, but teams are invited to bring decorations and display materials of their choice.

The event is open to the public, so sugar-aficionados and spectators are welcome to cheer from the sidelines while DJ OB-JEN & JUICE provide sweet music. Nelson and competitors will meet and greet with the crowd starting at 3:00 p.m., and the Cupcake Wars kicks off at 3:30 p.m.

Real Girls Real Women Annual Luncheon

October 12, 2010

12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Hilton Anatole, Dallas, TX [map]

Chair — Gina Betts

The annual Real Girls Real Women Dallas Awards Luncheon held each fall recognizes outstanding women leaders and Girl Scouts for their service to the community and is fast becoming one of Dallas’ premiere daytime events. Funds raised provide the "Gift of Girl Scouting" and support the activities of girls in traditional Girl Scout troops. Your support of the event through sponsorships and ticket purchases helps provide the genuine Girl Scout Leadership Experience to nearly 40,000 girls throughout NE Texas.

The 2010 Awards Luncheon features the launch of the GSNETX Alumnae Association. If you are a former Girl Scout (including Daisy or Brownie), a former or current volunteer or staff member, please join! Membership is free. Imagine one million Alumnae in North Texas standing up for girls! Join the Alumnae Association.

Click here to purchase tickets, tables, sponsorships or to make a donation.
Contact: Lindsay Thompson lthompson@gsnetx.org /972-349-2438