Girl Scouts announces 2023 Colorado Springs Women of Distinction

4 Extraordinary Women Honored

Girl Scouts of Colorado is excited to bring back the annual Women of Distinction event to the Colorado Springs community. This year, Girl Scouts of Colorado is honoring four outstanding women in the community to induct as the new class of Women of Distinction. These women have displayed exemplary leadership and a commitment to advancing the profile of women and girls in our community. They serve as inspirations to our girls and exemplify the courage, confidence, and character that girls gain through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. This year’s honorees were selected by a committee of their peers and chosen based on their contributions to the community, both professionally and personally. These women join a network of more than 500 Women of Distinction alums. They are shining examples of corporate, civic, and philanthropic leaders, who serve as role models for our female leaders of tomorrow.

Class of 2023, Women of Distinction

Birdie Miller, vice president, Board of Directors for the Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District – Birdie was the first African-American to work for WTTW, Chicago’s PBS television station, as a production assistant. She worked for the Chicago Public Schools for 20 years as a teacher, reading specialist, special education administrator and principal of a K–8 elementary school. She was vice president of programs for the Boys and Girls Club and vice president of education for Edison Learning. For more than 25 years, Birdie has volunteered with the African American Youth Leadership Conference (AAYLC). She has served on various committees, and continues to serve on the Wynn Marchman Scholarship Committee for AAYLC. Birdie served on the Board of Directors for Rocky Mountain Women’s Film (RMWF) for six years. Birdie continues to serve on the Film in the Community Committee for RMWF. Birdie has served as an advisor for the Youth Documentary Academy, YDA. YDA trains young people (14 to 18 years old) how to direct and produce their own documentary films. Birdie has served on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District for five years.

Catania Jones, director of Children, Youth & Family Services, El Paso County Department of Human Services – Catania has spent more than 20 years engaging community and system partners to uphold safety, permanency, well-being, and justice for children and youth. This has allowed her to guide and implement her vision of meaningful shifts in serving families. The journey of her career has included a secure juvenile facility, child placement agencies, health care policy and financing, Tessa’s Safehouse program, the Division of Youth Services and County Child Protection. Prior to her current role, she served as the deputy director for Children, Youth & Family Services, and the practice administrator for Children, Youth & Family Services. Catania has practiced and pushed forward agendas that honor collective impact and system improvement. This has included local, regional, and statewide engagement to facilitate and lead collaborative tables, groups, and initiatives in solution-focused dialogue for serving children, families, and juvenile justice. Her practice of inclusion of voice, diversity of thought and equity of opportunity has been the single most important tool, and common thread to accomplishing meaningful change.
Dr. Wendy Birhanzel, superintendent, Harrison School District 2 – Wendy has served more than 20 years in public education. Her passion is ensuring a high-quality education experience for every student and opening doors to opportunities and success. In her work, she advocates for necessary school funding and bringing a voice to students and staff. During her time as a principal, Wendy led two different schools to be honored with National Blue Ribbon Awards and named National Title I Distinguished Schools. In her current role, Wendy works collaboratively with staff to offer students an excellent academic experience and opportunities such as free college, free technology, free athletics and activities, free before- and after-school care, free breakfast and lunch, and free tutoring. Under her leadership, the district passed a $180 million bond leading to 20 buildings being renovated and three new schools being built. She has also partnered with the community to ensure wrap-around supports such as mental health care, food security, and housing are provided for all families. Her passion is supporting the whole child and family in the community. She serves on several local and national boards to provide a voice for educators. Wendy was named Colorado’s 2023 Superintendent of the Year by the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE). Recently she has been named 1 of 22 to watch in ’22 by the Southeast Express, a Woman Making a Difference by the League of Women’s Voters, and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Transformational Leader by Colorado Springs Business Journal.
Judy Bell, first female president of the USGA – Judy’s extraordinary journey began in 1961 when she began her decades long involvement with the United States Golf Association (USGA) as a volunteer. In 1987, she was the first woman to be elected to the Executive Committee of the USGA. Golf has traditionally been thought of as a wealthy, white male sport, but in 1996, Judy Bell became the 54th President of the USGA– the first female to serve in this position since its inception. Judy is an advocate of programs for girls, the disabled, and underserved youth through a USGA grants program. She captained international women’s golf teams, as well as championing the game for girls and women at the national level, challenging the status quo, and earning her the title of “trailblazer” from the USGA. Judy has served on the El Pomar Foundation Board of Trustees since 1996, the Board of Directors of the Women’s Western Golf Association, and the World Amateur Golf Council Women’s Committee. Judy has been widely recognized as a leader and trailblazer in golf administration. Her honors and awards include the Lifetime Achievement in Sport Award – El Pomar Foundation; Bob Jones Award, United States Golf Association; Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Honorary Member; Sherry G. Lumpkin Founders Award – LPGA-USGA Girls Golf; First Lady of Golf, and more.

Girl Scouts of Colorado will welcome the Class of 2023 honorees from 5 to 8 p.m., May 10, at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum.

“I am honored to welcome this year’s class of Women of Distinction. They are strong, bold, empowered women who represent the leadership and excellence that powers today’s world, and they are outstanding role models for our girls,” said Leanna Clark, CEO of Girl Scouts of Colorado.

Proceeds from the event will support Girl Scouts of Colorado’s crucial leadership development programs in entrepreneurship, outdoors, STEM, and life skills for more than 15,000 members across Colorado.

For information regarding tickets and sponsorships, visit girlscoutsofcolorado.org or contact Martha Johnson at martha.johnson@gscolorado.org.

February 07, 2023