Girl Scouts of Connecticut to Celebrate Leadership

Woman of Merit Dinner benefiting Girl Scouts is Wednesday, June 11 in Hartford

May 30, 2008- Girl Scouts of Connecticut will honor two outstanding individuals at the 2008 Woman of Merit Dinner on June 11, 2008 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hartford Marriott Downtown.  The 2008 Honorees are Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz and Chairman of the Hartford Steam Boiler Group Richard Booth. The public is encouraged to attend the event to acknowledge these inspiring leaders and to support Girl Scouting's personal and leadership development programs for young women in grades K-12. 

Girl Scouts of Connecticut is known and respected for providing girls with varied and accessible opportunities and experiences for personal leadership growth. Girl Scouting across the nation is in the midst of a nationwide transformation that will strengthen the organization's position as the premiere organization for leadership development in girls. To emphasize that focus on community leaders, Girl Scouts of Connecticut will honor, Secretary Bysiewicz as the 2008 Woman of Merit and Chairman Booth as the 2008 Man of Merit. 

First elected in 1998, Secretary Bysiewicz is the chief elections official and business registrar for Connecticut. An ardent advocate for election integrity and privacy safeguards, Bysiewicz has incorporated innovative technology and implemented an optical scan voting system and a vote-by-phone technology that allows residents with disabilities to vote privately and independently. Secretary Bysiewicz strives to promote leadership values and is the perfect candidate to define today's exemplary female leader.

Richard Booth has been a prominent leader in the Hartford business community and most recently the Chairman of the Hartford Steam Boiler Group and its Board of Directors. Appointed to lead an enterprise-wise initiative, Booth is responsible for the corporation's Strategic Relationship Group, which is the primary organization involved with cross-selling initiatives at the company. Booth is a member of several area boards and committees.  He is a recipient of a number of community awards, as well as, an honorary doctorate in commerce from the University of Hartford. Booth was also, the 2004 Chair of the Woman of Merit Dinner. 

Despite demanding careers, the two Woman of Merit Honorees display courage, confidence, and character in both their personal and professional lives.  Their high standards and recognizable accomplishments make them great role models for Girl Scouts across Connecticut. 

Net proceeds from the Woman of Merit Dinner will support Girl Scout leadership development programs that help girls in grades K-12 bring out the best in themselves and their communities. Through effective Girl Scout programs, girls are encouraged to discover the world around them, connect with the needs of others, and take action to make the world a better place. Trained Girl Scout volunteers and professional staff help girls prepare for the challenges of today and the future by establishing positive values, building leadership skills, and developing self-esteem.

For Woman of Merit tickets or for more information about the event, contact Nicole Jennette at Girl Scouts of Connecticut, 860-522-0163, ext. 226, or njennette@gsofct.org.