GIRL SCOUTS HONOR 80 WOMEN FOR 80TH ANNIVERSARY

Eighty women, including 28 from Cape Girardeau, who have made substantial contributions to Girl s couting were honored Sunday at an 80th anniversary celebration of the Girl Scouts of America.

The Otahki Girl Scout Council covers an 11-county area that includes Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. More than 1,500 girls and adult volunteers attended the celebration at Cape Girardeau Central High School.

These "Women of Distinction" represent the mission of Girl scouting, which is for each girl to be the best she can be. The 28 women from Cape Girardeau were presented a certificate at a luncheon prior to the anniversary celebration.

Women from Cape Girardeau honored Sunday were: Peggy Barringer, former president of the Otahki Girl Scout Council; Shirley Beggs, current president of the council; Leona Bunch, president of the council from 1954-57; Rebecca McDowell Cook, attorney and member of the Missouri Board of Education; Mary Kay Day, member of the council's board of directors; Linda Dillman, a 25-year adult member of Girl Scouts; Sister Mary Ann Fischer, principal, Notre Dame High School; Julie Turner Gibson, a graduated Senior Girl Scout of Otahki Council and first woman to be elected president of the Missouri Bar.

Grave V. Hoover, in honor of her 45 years as a home economist; Mary Kasten, Missouri state representative; Genie Kremer, member of the Girl Scouts for 34 years and executive director for six years; Elisabeth Penn Lehman, Girl Scouts member for over 40 years and former council president; Mary Ann Maloney, a former Girl Scout; Jean Bell Mosley, an award-winning author of children's books; MaryBelle Mueller, associate circuit judge and former Girl Scout; Martha Muench, Girl Scout volunteer; Charlene Peyton, awarded "Outstanding Woman of the Year" and "Outstanding Teacher of the Year," and former council board member.

Rhonda Reeves, businesswoman, troop leader and Girl Scout volunteer; Janice Rigdon, Girl Scout volunteer; Wendy Rust, former Girl Scout, adult volunteer and Missouri's "Mother of the Year" in 1989; Susan Harrison Sheets, dentist and graduated Senior Girl Scout; Carrie Smith, graduated Senior Girl Scout and summer camp staff member; Mary Spell, former adult volunteer and "Woman of the Year" in 1985; Irene Stevens, teacher and former adult volunteer; Kala M. Stroup, president of Southeast Missouri State University; Terri Tomlin, Girl Scout volunteer and businesswoman; and Dottie Wencewicz, former Girl Scout and adult volunteer.