Girl Scouts of Connecticut Honor Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz

Woman of Merit Dinner benefiting Girl Scouts raises more than $215,000

June 13, 2008- Girl Scouts of Connecticut honored two outstanding individuals at the 2008 Woman of Merit Dinner on June 11 at the Hartford Marriott Downtown.  The 2008 Honorees were Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz and former Chairman of the Hartford Steam Boiler Group Richard Booth. More than 375 people attended the event in support of Girl Scouting's personal and leadership development programs for young women in grades K-12. 

Girl Scouts of Connecticut is known and respected for providing girls with varied and accessible opportunities and experiences for personal leadership growth. Girl Scouting across the nation is in the midst of a nationwide transformation that will strengthen the organization's position as the premiere organization for leadership development in girls. To emphasize that focus on community leaders, Girl Scouts of Connecticut honored Secretary Bysiewicz as the 2008 Woman of Merit and Chairman Booth as the 2008 Man of Merit. 

On being honored Secretary Bysiewicz encouraged the young women in the audience to find a mentor and to choose someone to emulate. She continued by saying all leaders have a plan for success and a mentor to guide them there.

"The responsibility is to be a mentor for others, we have all stood on the shoulders of others," Bysiewicz said. "We, as leaders, have an obligation to be a mentor."

First elected in 1998, Secretary Bysiewicz is the chief elections official and business registrar for Connecticut. An ardent advocate for election integrity and privacy safeguards, Bysiewicz has incorporated innovative technology and implemented an optical scan voting system and a vote-by-phone technology that allows residents with disabilities to vote privately and independently. Secretary Bysiewicz strives to promote leadership values and is the perfect candidate to define today's exemplary female leader.

Richard Booth, who could not attend the evening's event due to a prior commitment, has been a prominent leader in the Hartford business community and most recently the Chairman of the Hartford Steam Boiler Group and its Board of Directors. Booth was recently appointed the Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for American International Group, Inc. (AIG) in New York City. He is a recipient of a number of community awards, as well as, an honorary doctorate in commerce from the University of Hartford. Booth was also, the 2004 Chair of the Woman of Merit Dinner. 

The Woman of Merit raised more than $215,000.00 for Girl Scouts of Connecticut. Net proceeds from the Woman of Merit Dinner will support Girl Scout leadership experiences that help girls in grades K-12 bring out the best in themselves and their communities. Through effective Girl Scout programs, girls are encouraged to discover the world around them, connect with the needs of others, and take action to make the world a better place. Trained Girl Scout volunteers and professional staff help girls prepare for the challenges of today and the future by establishing positive values, building leadership skills, and developing self-esteem.