Girl Scout Famous Formers “Artful” Celebration
Girl Scout alum and friends gathered at the d’Art Center in Norfolk to recognize the impact of five outstanding female leaders and celebrate the remarkable legacy of Girl Scouting. The five honorees were presented with Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast’s (GSCCC) Famous Formers award, an award that recognizes female leaders in our community who were once Girl Scouts, showcasing their journey and achievements in both professional and volunteer endeavors.
“Girl Scout Famous Formers is a celebration of women who continue to achieve Girl Scouts’ mission of ‘building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place’,” said Sally Swanson, GSCCC’s Philanthropy Director. “Honoring women who have excelled professionally while giving back to the community is a powerful way to inspire the next generation. The shift to an afterwork party with creative art activities added a fun and engaging twist to the celebration—it was a memorable evening for everyone involved. Events like these not only recognize achievements but also foster a sense of community and philanthropy, ensuring that future Girl Scouts have access to valuable experiences and learning opportunities to gain essential skills through the Girl Scout program.”
This year’s distinguished honorees included Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D., President of Norfolk State University; Tonya Byrd, Senior Policy Director at Dominion Energy; Sierrah Chavis, Director of Youth Opportunities at United Way South Hampton Roads; CDR Heidi Koski, Commanding Officer of U.S. Coast Guard Base, Elizabeth City; and Wendy Scott, Ph.D., Founder of Tidewater Collegiate Academy at Virginia Wesleyan University.
Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D.
CDR Heidi Koski
Tonya Byrd
Wendy Scott, Ph.D.
Sierrah Chavis
The evening’s emcee was Rae Pearson Benn, a journalist with WTVZ and director of communications at Regent University. When Rae told her story of not being able to be a Girl Scout as a girl but always wanting to be one, volunteer Toni Taylor stepped up and presented her with a Girl Scout scarf and said her Girl Scout pin and investiture would be coming her way!
The d’Art Center’s gallery provided an inspiring backdrop for guests to network and engage with these outstanding role models. Guests enjoyed getting their hands into art with a tile pour art class and a collaborative canvas project.
“This event truly captures the impact of the Girl Scout mission and the significance of recognizing leaders like Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston. It’s inspiring to see such strong advocacy for empowering young girls and fostering transformational leadership,” Dr. Leonard Brown, Jr., Vice President for Student Affairs with Norfolk State University, shared. “Honoring women who embody the deep connection between mentorship, opportunity, and community progress ensures future generations of girls continue to thrive and lead with confidence. Famous Formers reminded everyone why investing in young leaders is so crucial. As a Girl Scout board member, I see the transformational leadership that the program brings to girls. Today’s event epitomizes the strength of the mission and how it continues to benefit our girls as they grow into confident adults. The five women who were honored are absolutely amazing examples of why Girl Scouting is so important and relevant to today’s society. All girls should have the opportunity to excel, and Norfolk State University is proud to support this cause.”
GSCCC would like to thank sponsors Norfolk State University, United Way of South Hampton Roads, Dominion Energy, The Williamsburg Winery, Towne Bank, and myTVZ-WTVZ for their invaluable support in making this celebration a memorable event for our honorees and guests. Find more photos and video from the evening on our Facebook page, and view the program to read about each honoree and learn more about the award!
