Shreveport Celebrates Women of Distinction at Annual Girl Scouts Luncheon
SHREVEPORT – Celebration and pride filled the air as Heather Carpenter stood side by side with her mother, Linda Thaxter, reciting the Girl Scout Law. As the executive director of the LSUS Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Research, Carpenter is a remarkable example of how the values learned in youth can shape a successful career. Last Thursday, she was recognized as one of the nine Women of Distinction during the Girl Scouts of Louisiana Pines to the Gulf’s annual luncheon held at LSUS.
With a bright smile, Carpenter reflected on her journey, crediting her mother for being her troop leader back in California. “That’s what provided the foundation for what I do today,” she shared. “This honor means the world to me because the Girl Scouts made me who I am.” Carpenter spoke passionately about how the organization introduced her to community service and volunteerism, guiding her into the nonprofit landscape.
Following the Girl Scout Path
From her early days as a Girl Scout, Carpenter climbed the ranks of the organization, ultimately earning the prestigious Gold Award and becoming a lifetime member. This accomplishment reflects her strong dedication to service and leadership. On Thursday, her commitment shone through as she joined fellow honorees who are also deeply connected to the local nonprofit scene.
Among the other honorees were Latoria Thomas and Alex Person, both graduates of the LSUS master’s program in nonprofit administration led by Carpenter. Person works as the director of community engagement at Volunteers for Youth Justice and focuses on empowering the youth of the Shreveport-Bossier area. Meanwhile, Thomas made history as the first African-American woman to serve as president and CEO of the United Way of Northwest Louisiana and is actively involved in her community.
Empowering Women and Girls
Another honored individual, Kristen Powers, plays a pivotal role mentoring within Carpenter’s nonprofit capacity-building program designed to enhance local organizations’ workflow and efficiency. As the executive director at The Arc Caddo-Bossier, Powers prioritizes empowering women in her neighborhood, further exemplifying the values instilled by the Girl Scouts.
Rachel Broussard, the CEO of Girl Scouts of Louisiana Pines to the Gulf, emphasized the organization’s longstanding mission. “At our core, Girl Scouts have always been about investing in women and girls for over 100 years,” she stated. She highlighted that fifty percent of female business leaders in the U.S. are Girl Scout alums, underlining the significant impact of this foundational program.
Recognizing More Local Leaders
The celebration didn’t stop with just a few honorees. The remaining five women were also celebrated for their substantial impact on women and girls in the community. These included:
- Gisele Proby-Bryant – The former director of special education and federal programs for Bossier Parish Schools, with a focus on advocacy for those with disabilities.
- Tiffany George – A nurse practitioner at Willis Knighton and owner of Care Partners of Shreveport-Bossier, committed to supporting the mental and physical health of young girls.
- Regina Webb – The first woman and African American to be elected as Caddo Parish Tax Assessor, who also works as an associate professor at Southern University at Shreveport.
- Felecia Williams – Owner of My Spa My Way and founder of the nonprofit Gertrude’s Gifts, actively engaged in various community organizations.
- Victor Thomas – Recognized as this year’s Man Enough to be a Girl Scout honoree, serving as the Caddo Commissioner for District 3 and active in several community organizations.
This year’s luncheon was not just an occasion to honor impressive women but also a reminder of the core values of community service, leadership, and inspiration that the Girl Scouts instill in young girls across the nation. With every honoree recognized, the future looks bright for the next generation of female leaders right here in Shreveport-Bossier!
