| The Women of Distinction Awards
2012 Women of Distinction Nomination Form
Do you know a special woman in your life who should be recognized at the Women of Distinction Event? If so, apply here (PDF, 545 KB).
About the Women of Distinction Awards
Women have always been strong contributors to the state of Alaska and to the city of Fairbanks. While many women have worked in the spotlight to effect change and improve communities, many have contributed behind the scenes. The Farthest North Girl Scout Council designed an award a decade ago that honors women who have made highly visible as well as silent contributions to the Fairbanks community. Each May, the Girl Scout council recognizes four women, at a banquet in their honor, who make our city a better place to live and who are positive role models for young girls.
The Women of Distinction Event is an annual fundraiser presented in partnership with BP Exploration. May 6th, 2010 will mark the 14th annual opportunity for citizens of Fairbanks to recognize and award outstanding women, while supporting a positive program for Alaska’s girls. Funds from previous years’ events help extend Girl Scouting to previously under-served rural communities and increase services to local troops.
As you read through the names of the 44 women honored since 1997, many noteworthy accomplishments of these women come to mind. However, each woman has a unique basket of stories that lead to her success. Storyteller extraordinaire Gayle Maloy Binkley captures these fascinating life stories and brings them to life at each event. Former honoree and event emcee, Ann Secrest returns to Fairbanks each May to host this event. If you’ve never attended this event, or if you have attended all eleven, every year is special and promises a night to remember.
2011 Women of Distinction (from left to right):
Peggy Pollen, Mary Binkley, Shirley Lee and Jeri Wigdahl.
Previous Honorees
1997
Martha Harrell, Brenda Holden, Effie Kokrine, and Ann Secrest
1998
Rev. Shellie Brown, Poldine Carlo, Grace Berg Schaible, and Sue Wilken
1999
Vallie Byrdsong, Deborah Honea, Ruth Lister, and Rev. Mable Rasmussen
2000
Virgie M. King, Christine Smith, Coleen Turner, and June Ulz
2001
Annie Bartley, Erma Belz, Ruth Burnett, and June Rogers
2002
Nancy White Carlstrom, Edna Wilder Cryan, Emily Kemak, and Susan Redding
2003
Gloria Fernandez, Nancy Hanson, Dorothy Jones, and Ginger Stock-McKenzie
2004
Jyotsna “Jo” Heckman, Kyong Hollen, Susan Rainey, and Chelsea Walker
2005
Barbara Hall, M. Chris Hayes, Althea St. Martin, and Jo Ryman Scott
2006
Rosalind Kan, Patty Kastelic, Theresa Reed, and Marilyn Romano
2007
Samantha Kirstein, Henrine Gray, Ann Shortt, and Niesje Steinkruger
2008
Carol Brice, Lorena Hegdal, Annie Keep-Barnes, and Cheryl Kilgore
2009
Pat Cook, Lottie Fleeks, Mary Ann Nickles, and Bonnie Roberts
2010
Karen Parr, Wendy Redman, Jennifer Schmidt, and Barbara Schuhmann
Honoring our Donors
2011 Women of Distinction Patrons
 Major Sponsor
BP
Gold Patron
Alaska Airlines
ConocoPhillips
Doyon, Lmt.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Lottie Fleeks
Flint Hills
Gayle Garrigues
Holland America Westours
Kiwanis Club of Fairbanks
Mt. McKinley Bank
Northrim Bank
Riverboat Discovery
Santina’s Flowers
Grace Berg Schaible
Wells Fargo Bank
Silver Patron
Denali State Bank
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital
Totem Ocean Trailer Express
Ellen Whitcher
Bronze Patron
Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc.
Niesje Steinkruger
Individual
Bertha Bucher
Chelsea and Gary Walker
Special Contributors
Advance Printing
Alyeska Pipeline
BP
Evelyn Baldwin
Gayle & Jim Binkley
Sheila Doody Bishop
Karen Brauser
Carol & Al Brice
Dermott Cole
Karen Cowart
Patrick DeMeritt
Nancy Hanson
Brenda Holden
Kyong Hollen
Sue Hull
Jim Johnson
KATN, Channel 2
KTVF, Channel 11
KYSC
Darryl Lewis
Jim Lund
Jill Marshall/ Marshall Arts
Barbara Matthews
Mary Mitchell
Senator Lisa Murkowski
Noel Wien Library
Claudia & Jeff Pierson
John Ringstad
Santina's Flowers
Grace Berg Schaible
Jo & Dick Scott
Ann Secrest
Russell Sharpton
Christine Smith
Chris Tanner
Karen Taylor
Wing Tham
Troop 34
Troop 154
Troop 255
Katherine Voss
Nancy Wagner
Mary Lou Weese |
