LOUISIANA – Women of Distinction is a community-wide annual celebration of purpose-driven female leaders across a 42-parish service area benefitting Girl Scouts of Louisiana – Pines to the Gulf. Women of Distinction is a unique event that highlights and honors the outstanding accomplishments local women have achieved through the four pillars of Girl Scouting: STEM, Life Skills, Outdoors, and Entrepreneurship. Each year, our council calls upon the public to identify women who exemplify excellence in service, leadership, community visibility, and professionalism. These women, like Girl Scouts, are dedicated to service and leadership and exemplify positive values. These role models inspire local Girl Scouts to achieve their own goals and dreams. Proceeds of this charitable event fund the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, which helps Girl Scouts grow into the female leaders of tomorrow.
There are two Women of Distinction Luncheons being held in 2025, one in Shreveport, LA and one in Lafayette, LA. The women that will be recognized at each of the luncheons are as follows:
Shreveport Women of Distinction | Thursday, September 11, 2025
Deidra Adair: Executive Director, Children’s Coalition of Northeast Louisiana
Krystal Critton: Community Engagement Associate, Ronald McDonald House
Deanna Curtis: CASA Community Coordinator, Volunteers for Youth Justice
Cenerica Smith: Executive Director, Louisiana Urban Gardening Initiative/Court Reporter
Von Jennings: Owner, Von Jennings Consulting Services
Brittany Bass Arvie: City Court Judge
Dr. Chelette Holden: Owner, Holden Counseling and Consulting
Dr. Meghan Olinger: Dean of Student Support and Advocacy, McNeese State University
Lafayette Women of Distinction | Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Dr. Alberta Brown Green: CEO, ABG Professional Development Solutions
Kalli Christ: CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana
Karen King: Senior Litigation Counsel, United States Attorneys’ Offices
Somer Lewis: Pharmacy Technician Lead Instructor, Unitech Training Academy
Lauren Dartez: Lead Designer, Laurel Homes
Dr. Carlissa Ford: Special Education Supervisor, Lafayette Parish School District
Stephanie Bernard: Director, Diocese of Lafayette Office of Black Catholics
While this event was established to recognize local women, Girl Scouts of Louisiana – Pines to the Gulf did not want to overlook the value that men in our community bring to Girl Scouting. Therefore, at each of our events, we honor one ‘Man Enough to be a Girl Scout’. This man is elected through the same rigorous nomination process and is chosen based on how closely his community impact reflects the Girl Scout mission. This year’s ‘Man Enough to be a Girl Scout’ Shreveport award will go to Tyler Spears, founder of Saturn Six Creative. The Lafayette ‘Man Enough to be a Girl Scout’ award will go to Thomas Falgout, the Development and Annual Giving Manager at South Louisiana Community College.
The Shreveport Women of Distinction event will take place on Thursday, September 11th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the LSUS Student Union Ballroom. You can purchase tickets for this event here: https://gslpg.networkforgood.com/events/86419-women-of-distinction-north
The Lafayette Women of Distinction event will take place on Tuesday, September 16th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Petroleum Club of Lafayette. You can purchase tickets for this event here: https://gslpg.networkforgood.com/events/88177-women-of-distinction-wod-south
For more information on the Women of Distinction luncheons including honoree information, sponsorship details, and more, visit the GSLPG Women of Distinction website here: https://www.gslpg.org/en/support-us/Women_of_Distinction.html
About Girl Scouts of Louisiana Pines to the Gulf
We are a chartered council with Girl Scouts of the USA, supporting nearly 4,000 girls in partnership with close to 2,000 volunteers. We service 42 parishes in Louisiana, west of the Mississippi River, through council-sponsored girl program and activities, local resources and support, and adult learning opportunities. The headquarters is in Lafayette as well as a location in Shreveport.