Press Release
Girl Scouts Celebrate a Decade of Distinction
10th Annual Women of Distinction Celebration honors
Rita C. Turner of Wilmington Trust
March 19, 2009
Newark, DE – The Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Council held its 10th Annual Women of Distinction Celebration on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at the Hotel du Pont Gold Ballroom in Wilmington. This year’s celebration honored Rita C. Turner, Executive Vice President of Client Services at Wilmington Trust.
Rita Turner began her career at Wilmington Trust in 1973. In 1996, she became the first woman to be appointed to the company’s Executive Management team. She holds leadership positions in many nonprofit organizations, including the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, LPGA Urban Youth Golf Program in Wilmington, the Grand Opera House, Wilmington Branch N.A.A.C.P., YWCA Delaware and YWCA USA, Delaware Women’s Forum, and the Forums of Executive Women in Philadelphia and Delaware.
Honorary Chair of the event, Claire M. DeMatteis, was also recognized. Ms. DeMatteis served as senior counsel to former Senator Joseph Biden, assistant legal counsel to former Delaware Governor Michael N. Castle, and worked as Castle’s senior legislative aide during his first term in Congress.
National Young Woman of Distinction and Girl Scout from New Castle, Erin Lawler, spoke at the event. Erin earned her Girl Scout Gold Award for her project entitled “GEMS: Girls Empowered by Math and Science.” Her project involved assembling a team of elementary and middle school girls to design, program, and build a motorized robot using LEGOs. For her outstanding work, Erin was honored by the Girl Scouts of the USA with the 2008 National Young Woman of Distinction Award.
The Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Council founded the Women of Distinction Celebration in 2000 to honor women who have made significant contributions to Delaware through their work, philanthropy, and community service. As Women of Distinction, they have broken through the glass ceiling in their respective fields, pioneered new and innovative ideas and business strategies, acted as positive role models for girls, and embodied the values of Girl Scouting.
A leading advocate for and expert on girls, the Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay builds girls of courage, confidence and character by providing personal leadership development and programs that teach skills for the real world. To learn more about Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Council, visit www.GSCB.org or call 1-800-341-4007.
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