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Girl Scout Event To Honor 4 'Women Of Distinction'

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 18, 2008

TAMPA - Longtime environmentalist and philanthropist Marsha Starkey is among four local "Women of Distinction" that the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida will honor next month.

The seventh annual luncheon recognizes women who have achieved success in their chosen fields and who serve as role models for girls and young women.

Starkey, of the prominent ranching family in Odessa, has been involved in her community for more than 45 years through the Starkey Ranch, Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, J.B. Starkey's Flatwoods Adventures and, since 2002, the annual Cowboy Ball, a fundraiser for All Children's Hospital.

Starkey also serves on the boards of Morton Plant North Bay Hospital and the Morton Plant Mease Foundation, and is a charter member of Women in Philanthropy - North Bay.

Other 2008 "Women of Distinction" are:

•Carol J. Barnett, president of Publix Super Market Charities. The Lakeland woman also is active in the United Way Leadership Committee, Polk Education Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Lakeland, Florida Council on Economic Education, Leadership Lakeland and the Florida Aquarium, among many other groups.

•Angeles S. Ferlita of Tampa, a philanthropist and community advocate who sits on fundraising event committees and nonprofit boards throughout the Tampa Bay area. Those include the American Cancer Society, 100th Italian Club Celebration, Customer Advisory Board of Macy's, and the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay.

•Jean Giles Wittner, president of Wittner Centres Inc., who chaired the Committee of Trustees of Eckerd College for more than 25 years. She also is a director of Raymond James Bank and was the first woman chairman of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Pinellas County. She was a founding member of the St. Petersburg Downtown Improvement Corp. and was among the inaugural members of the Pinellas County Business Women's Hall of Fame in 2003.

"All four of the 2008 Women of Distinction symbolize the courage, confidence and character that Girl Scouting instills in young women today," a news release says. "Their community leadership and advocacy, both personally and professionally, set leading examples for Girl Scouts of all ages.

The luncheon, which benefits the Scouts in West Central Florida, is at noon March 25 at the A La Carte Event Pavilion, 4050 Dana Shores Drive, Tampa.

Special guest Mary Matalin - a wife, mother, political strategist and best-selling author - will talk about her most recent book, "Letters To My Daughters."

"Each letter is centered on a theme, some more serious than others: marriage and childbirth; career and civic duty; mall shopping and bad hair days, among others," her Web site says.

For details, visit www.matalin.info.

GETTING INVOLVED

•Tickets for the 2008 Women of Distinction luncheon are $75 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are available at Gold ($5,000), Silver ($2,500), Table ($1,500), Bronze ($750) and Individual Patron ($125) levels.

•For information, contact Caroline Klich at Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, (813) 262-1792 or cklich@gswcf.org.

Chairing the Women of Distinction event is Marion Rich. The honorary chairman is TV anchor Gayle Sierens, who joined WFLA, News Channel 8 in 1977.

•Jody Johnston heads the West Central Florida council, which serves more than 28,000 girls in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sumter counties. For information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect or donate, visit www.gswcf.org or call 1-800-881-4475.

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