To The Reader’s Forum:

On Thursday April 25, 2024, I attended the Girl Scouts of Western New York Awards Ceremony and Luncheon to honor the Women of Distinction. This annual event honors women in WNY who are chosen because they serve their community through volunteer work and their chosen profession, as well as provide leadership that shines a light on the accomplishments of women.

This year, Rhonda Johnson, President and CEO of Weber Knapp, was honored along with four other women from Western New York. Rhonda Johnson is not only a respected woman in the manufacturing business, but she volunteers with the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club in Jamestown and fulfills many other volunteer roles. Rhonda set goals and equipped herself to lead a company while enjoying her family life. Rhonda is a role model for girls and other women – she is so deserving of the recognition as a Woman of Distinction.

The event was attended by close to three hundred people including girls who are new to scouting and girls in their final years of the Girl Scout Program. Many of the girls were speakers in the program and each one was prepared and fulfilled her task well. As I watched the Awards Ceremony and the interactions of the girls and women in the room, I was not only proud to know one of the honorees, but I was struck by the potential for leadership and service of those young girls and women. We often hear and see situations that make us question the future of our local communities and this nation. Being among those who are successful leaders in their communities now and those young people who demonstrated their likelihood for successful careers gave me hope for the future. Thanks to the Girl Scout program and the leaders who shape the young people as they prepare to be our future leaders. And congratulations and thank you to Rhonda Johnson for being a distinguished role model in our community.

Carol Hay

Jamestown