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Changemakers in the Spotlight
An elegant setting was offered by The Woman's Club of Portsmouth for an elegant evening, the 2026 celebration of Girl Scout Famous Formers. Hosted by Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast and sponsored by Sentara, the event drew nearly 100 guests. Now an annual celebration in its 25th year, six outstanding change-making women leaders were honored. They all started their leadership journey during girlhood in Girl Scouts and now serve as role models for girls today.
This year's Famous Formers honorees included: Patrice Covington, co-host on the Hampton Roads Show; Dr. Brittny Gainey, adjunct professor at Norfolk State University in the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work; Nicole Livas, chief communication and community engagement officer with the City of Virginia Beach Schools; Heidi Salway, director of human resources and business partnerships at Sentara Health; Elizabeth Vaughn, deputy director of public communications with the City of Chesapeake; and Susan Vitale, retired captain of the U.S. Navy and a senior managing director of federal customer optimization and response (CORE) for Microsoft Corporation.
Returning as our emcee for the second year in a row was Rae Pearson Benn, an award-winning media professional and storyteller who serves as the chief communications officer for the Virginia Beach Police Department. She joined Girl Scouts as an adult last year, and taking the stage for this year’s event, she shared her delight, saying, “Only Girl Scouts can make a grown woman feel this inspired.”
Along with recognizing the honorees at center stage, GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller gave remarks at the podium. “As we celebrate our honorees, we must also acknowledge the world girls are growing up in. The 2026 GSUSA State of Girls report shows that girls today face pressures previous generations never imagined. Many are searching for stability, connection, and a place where they feel seen and belong. Right now. That’s why Girl Scouting matters now more than ever. It gives girls a community where they can show up exactly as they are. It gives them opportunities to lead, collaborate, solve problems, and discover strengths they didn’t know they had. It satisfies the need to belong — something every young person deserves.”
As the honorees shared a few Girl Scout memories, their stories reminded all about the lessons learned in troop meetings, at camp, and through community service that shaped their leadership.
“Believing in every girl’s spark is the beating heart of Girl Scouting. Tonight’s honorees show us what happens when girls are given space to explore, try, fail, try again, and ultimately rise. Their journeys began with curiosity and courage, and they carry those qualities into adulthood in ways that strengthen our communities every single day,” Keller said.
Congratulations to our 2026 Famous Formers! 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!
