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2024 Women Of Vision

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ)
Debra Rutt, Marketing & Communications Manager
Mobile: 201-419-8085
drutt@gshnj.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Presents 2024 Women of Vision Awards to Outstanding Local Leaders Who Pave the Way for the Next Generation of Girls at Annual Breakfast Ceremony

WESTFIELD, NJ (May 2, 2024) - Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ) proudly hosted its annual Women of Vision Awards Breakfast yesterday, Wednesday, May 1st, at Nanina's in the Park, located in Belleville, NJ. This special occasion served as a heartfelt tribute to extraordinary leaders who passionately champion the advancement of girls in our communities. The event welcomed over 260 esteemed entrepreneurs and corporate professionals, uniting in a celebration of amazing professionals who are inspiring the next generation of girl leaders.

Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Women of Vision Awards Breakfast recognized three individuals whose dedication and contributions exemplify courage, leadership, and empowerment, serving as inspirations to all those striving for progress and equality for all, but especially for girls. The 2024 Women of Vision Honorees are:

· Inspiration Award: Deanna Sperling, President and CEO, RWJBarnabas Behavioral Health Center.

· Trailblazer Award: Celestina Quintana, Owner Operator, McDonald’s Corp.

· Man Enough to be a Girl Scout Award: Calvin Souder, Founding Partner, Souder, Shabazz & Woolridge Law Group.

Among the highlights of this year's event was the inspiring presentation by one of our Heart of New Jersey Council Girl Scouts, Bella F., who shared her transformative journey and the profound impact of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience on her life.

Expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support received at the event, Natasha Hemmings, CEO of GSHNJ, remarked, "The Women of Vision Awards Breakfast is more than just an event; it’s a gathering committed to uplifting our future leaders and strengthening the Girl Scout movement. Congratulations to our honorees Deanna, Celestina, and Calvin, and thank you to our sponsors and attendees, who infuse boundless energy and hope. Together, we are sculpting a world where every girl’s dreams are within reach, lighting a path of empowerment and guiding them to lead with grace and strength.”

The funds raised at the breakfast directly bolster GSHNJ's initiatives aimed at empowering girls to embrace sisterhood, justice, and equity, thereby enabling them to thrive in their respective communities.

The success of the event was made possible through the generous support of Presenting Sponsor Verizon and Gold Sponsors RWJBarnabas Health and Souder, Shabazz & Woolridge Law Group, alongside the contributions of our valued sponsors: Citizens, Giddings Consulting Group, Insperity, McCarter & English, McDonald’s, Montclair State University, New Jersey Innovation Institute, New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), NJM Insurance Group, Optimum, Peapack Private, PNC, and Rey Financial Group.

About Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey

Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ) believes in the power of every girl. Our leadership program is designed to help a girl discover who she is, what she can do, and connects her with a powerful community of girls and mentors to make it happen. With unique opportunities, Girl Scouts explore, learn, succeed and take action to make a difference in their community. Providing over 13,000 New Jersey girls access to premier leadership programs and mentors throughout Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, southern Warren, and parts of Middlesex counties, GSHNJ offers girls a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership. GSHNJ has two service centers located in North Branch and Westfield and operates three summer camps: Camp Hoover in Middleville, NJ, Camp DeWitt in Hillsborough, NJ, and The OVAL in Maplewood, NJ. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, please visit www.gshnj.org

Photo l to r Chrissy Buteas, Board Chair, GSHNJ; Deanna Sperling, President & CEO, RWJBarnabas Health Behavioral Health Center; Calvin Souder, Founding Partner, Souder, Shabazz, & Woolridge; Celestina Quintana, Owner Operator, McDonald's Corp.; and Natasha Hemmings, CEO, GSHNJ. Photo credit: George Kopp Photography

May 02, 2024