Girl Scouts name local Women of Distinction

Zena Featherston-Marshall, Louise Turner and Tracy Winchell have been named the 2010 Women of Distinction in the Fort Smith region by the Arkansas Girl Scouts organization.

Formal recognition for the honorees is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Jan. 28 at the Golden Living headquarters building in south Fort Smith. Tickets for the banquet are $35 and can be purchased from Meredith Poland at [email protected] or by phone at (800) 632-6894, x 6224. Tickets are also available locally at the Girl Scout Regional Service Center at 5705 Gordon Lane. The local number is 452-1290.

“These women have done a myriad of work in our community through their respective careers as well as their volunteer work which includes unwavering support of our youth, our city, education, fine arts, their churches, and much more,” said Marian Conrad, Fort Smith regional manager for Girl Scouts – Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

Conrad said the Women of Distinction Banquet also continues with its “Diamond Discovery” tradition of a one person in the audience winning an “Ideal Cut” diamond courtesy of Newton’s Jewelers.

The three honorees also will serve as honorary coaches at tonight’s (Jan. 7) basketball game between the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Lady Lions and the University of Texas at Permian Basin Falcons. The game begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Stubblefield Center on the UAFS campus.

“This year’s Women of Distinction are fine examples of what the Girl Scout program is all about,” Girl Scout CEO Denise Stewart noted in a press release. “Their character and service make them fine examples to women everywhere.”

Girl Scouts – Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas serves almost 15,000 members and encompasses all counties in Arkansas except Crittenden, includes Adair, LeFlore and Sequoyah counties in Oklahoma as well as Bowie and Cass counties in Texas.

Following are the brief biographies the Girl Scouts provided for the Women of Distinction honorees.

Zena Featherston-Marshall currently serves as the Director of Communications for the Fort Smith Public Schools. In her spare time Zena is an active member of her church and a volunteer in Girl Scouting as a member of the nominating committee and plays strategic role in volunteer recruitment. She also extends her time to the Fort Smith Little Theater where she can be found assisting her mother with costumes or her father building sets. Zena has been recognized both locally and statewide for her creative efforts and recently received an Award of Excellence through the Arkansas Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association.

Louise Turner served as children’s librarian at the Fort Smith Public Library for 38 years until her retirement in 2007. As a master storyteller, mentor and friend, Louise made a huge impact on children during her career and continues to do so in her volunteer work. Louise served on the Arkansas Library Association’s Children’s Service Roundtable for more than 15 years and has presented sessions on storytelling and children’s services at many Arkansas Library Association conferences. She has served on the advisory committee for Reading is Fundamental in the Fort Smith Public Schools. Louise also taught storytelling at UA-Fort Smith and continues to be a frequent and sought-after presenter at schools, day cares, and continuing education events.

Tracy Winchell currently serves as the economic development coordinator for the City of Fort Smith. During her career with the city Tracy was a key figure in Fort Smith being selected as the site for the U.S. Marshals Museum. She was also heavily involved in saving the 188th Fighter Wing in the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC). Tracy is also the organizer and host of the city’s Citizen’s Academy and was recognized by the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America as the Public Relations Professional of the year for 2006.