by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
More than 600 people gathered at the Hyatt Wednesday for the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council’s 21st Annual “Women of Distinction” luncheon and awards ceremony. Each year, local women are honored for their accomplishments in career and community service that exemplify the values of Girl Scouting. The luncheon is also a way to help provide the Girl Scouts program to more than 18,000 young women in North Florida.
Six women were in the “Women of Distinction” Class of 2009:
• Ann M. Baker, a former Brownie Girl Scout, was a co-founder of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and Greenscape. She is also a member of the Art in Public Places Commission and the Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Baker is currently chair of the board of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, was an Eve Award finalist in 1988 and in 1996 received the Eve Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Born in San Sebastian, Spain, Teresa de Balmaseda Milam was founder of the local chapter of Granaderos and Damas de Galvex, which was created to recognize Spain’s contributions to America. She is an active member of the Modern Art Council of the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, the Toqueville Society, The Ponce de Leon Society and the De Paul Society of St. Vincent’s Hospital. Milam was also a founding member of the Beaches Residents Actively Supporting the Symphony (BRASS) and the Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
• Janet Garrett Owens is vice president of marketing and communications with the United Way of Northeast Florida. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than 20 years and is a past assistant director for Girl Scouts of Gateway Council. Owens is a Lifetime Member of the Girl Scouts and a former troop leader and camp ambassador.
• Kathryn Pearson Peyton is a radiology partner at Drs. Mori, Bean & Brooks and specializes in breast health. She is currently on the board of directors for the American Cancer Society for Duval County and the Beaches and has served as honorary chairperson for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the Catholic Charities Ball and the Humane Society Fur Ball. Also an accomplished musician, Peyton was concertmaster of the San Francisco Youth Orchestra and the Stanford Symphony and Chamber orchestras.
• Sandra C. Ramsey is senior vice president of finance and treasurer of Acosta, Inc. where she is responsible for managing the budget and strategic financial planning for the company. She is also the treasurer and governor’s appointment to the early Learning Coalition of Duval County and the immediate past president of Leadership Jacksonville.
• Karen Wolfson grew up as a Girl Scout. During her time as an educator from 1968-2005, she taught reading and composition skills at Fletcher High School and Florida Community College at Jacksonville. Wolfson has been a volunteer with the Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM) since 1986 and has served on the Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital since 1992.
“These women make the world a better place,” said Martha Barrett, co-chair of the event. “They truly represent the values of Girl Scouting – courage, confidence and character.”
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