Girl Scouts of West Central Florida have named six Tampa Bay women who will be honored at its annual Women of Distinction Luncheon on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2024, at Armature Works, in Tampa.
The event, now in its 32nd year, attracts more than 600 business and community leader attendees each year.
The 2024 Women of Distinction are:
Marilyn Alvarez – Master deputy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Alison Barlow – Executive director of St. Petersburg Innovation District
Ann E. Dunwoody – Retired General and First Female Four-Star General in United States Army
Bemetra Simmons – President and chief executive officer of Tampa Bay Partnership and Co-founder of Corporate Homie
In addition to announcing the Women of Distinction, GSWCF also named Diana Walker as the 2024 Woman of Promise, an award for women under age 40. Walker is the special projects coordinator at Hillsborough County Economic Development Minority & Small Business.
GSWCF will induct Renée Vaughn into the Women of Distinction Hall of Fame. Vaughn is president of the Williams Consulting Group, a public relations and marketing firm, in Tampa. She was first honored as a Woman of Distinction in 2015.
“Our Women of Distinction honorees are extraordinary role models for our Girl Scouts for their career achievements, as well as their continuous commitment to improving our community – and beyond,” said Mary Pat King, Girl Scouts of West Central Florida CEO. “We are so grateful to our 2024 Women of Distinction Honorary Chairs Maruchi Azorin, Doretha Edgecomb and Ellie Paladine for their incredible support of this luncheon and for selecting this amazing group of honorees this year.”
The presenting sponsor of the Women of Distinction is Publix Super Markets Charities, distinguished sponsor is The University of Tampa and esteemed sponsor is Simply Healthcare, as its first supporters of the 2024 Women of Distinction Luncheon. Tampa Bay Business & Wealth is the media sponsor.