North Shelby County residents Ann Heard-Nesbitt and Kelly Carlton have been selected to receive 2016 Women of Distinction Awards by the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.
The pair are among 15 women to be recognized at an awards luncheon at the Harbert Center in downtown Birmingham on March 11.
Award winners are nominated based on their civic, academic or professional involvement and contributions to the community.
Ann Heard-Nesbitt is a senior clinical dietician for Cooper Green Mercy Health Services, and Kelly Carlton is executive vice president and chief operating officer of United Way of Central Alabama.
Winners of the Women of the Distinction award provide a good example for Girl Scouts, said Hannah Wallace, director of communications and marketing for Girls Scouts of North-Central Alabama. These girls are growing up in an online world, and it can be difficult to plug them in with real-world mentors, Wallace said.
“Our girls need role models,” she said. “They need real inspiration, role models who lead by example in their specific community.”
Heard-Nesbitt will be honored in the Healthy Living category of the Women of Distinction Awards. She said community service is an important part of life because it allows individuals to share their gifts with others.
“I truly believe that everyone, regardless of ability to pay, is entitled to information and skills to improve their health and quality of life,” Heard-Nesbitt said. “One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that health education is based on one’s personal desire for self care and not determined by their level of education or socioeconomic status.”
Carlton will receive the Today’s Leader award during the ceremony. She said during her time working with the United Way, she has seen gaps in service for certain groups. She said she feels compelled through her faith to help those individuals, and she is thankful her job gives her the opportunity to help.
“As a Christian, we have been commissioned to love and help those that require basic necessities of life,” Carlton said. “I have learned these gaps are not only within walking distance from our home and work, but sometimes reside in our own families.”
Local Girl Scouts have written questions for this year’s award winners, and the winners will provide answers in a short video to be shown at the awards luncheon.
“They’ll really be able to see what makes these women tick, how hard they had to work to get there,” Wallace said.
Some women also remain involved with Girl Scouts by volunteering, participating in fundraisers and speaking with troops in the area.
At the luncheon, each woman will give a short speech regarding her award. Tickets are $60 for general admission and $45 for Girl Scout members. Proceeds from the luncheon support Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.
“I think the greater importance is that you’re supporting Girl Scouts, and not just a national brand of Girl Scouts, but the [groups] right outside your door,” Wallace said.
For more information about reservations or sponsorships for the luncheon, contact Tonya Mines at 800-734-4541, ext. 1030 or tmines@girlscoutsnca.org.
Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon
- WHERE: Harbert Center, downtown Birmingham
- WHEN: Friday, March 11 at 11:30 a.m.
- COST: $60 general admission; $45 for Girl Scout members