Billie Jean King Honored With "Centennial Award" For Leadership And Impact Presented By Girl Scouts Of Eastern Pennsylvania
PHILADELPHIA, May 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 6 at a special ceremony in Center City Philadelphia, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP) will honor social activist and Philadelphia Freedoms owner Billie Jean King with its "Centennial Award," an honor reserved for the most distinguished female leaders. The Centennial Award is presented on a triennium, and recognizes an accomplished female leader who will leave an indelible mark on this century's global landscape for the achievement of women and girls. Established in 2012 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts, this is only the second Centennial Award ever to be presented.
Billie Jean King was nominated for her incredible work ethic and perseverance, which has helped to pave the way for gender equality for girls and women worldwide in sports. She is the founder of the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, the co-founder of Mylan World Team Tennis, and the owner of the Philadelphia Freedoms tennis team. Her leadership and example are aligned with the mission of Girl Scouting – to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. King created new inroads for men and women in sports and beyond during her legendary career and she continues to make her mark today.
"Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania is pleased to acknowledge the outstanding example set for girls by Billie Jean King," said Natalye Paquin, CEO of GSEP. "The Centennial Award is reserved for women who have blazed a path for girls and women, creating a brighter tomorrow for the next generation of female leaders. Through her passionate activism to ensure gender equality in sports and her ongoing leadership both locally and globally, we are proud and excited to present her with this honor."
GSEP will present this award at a private ceremony:
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Comcast Center, 1701 JFK Boulevard, Room 3A
In support of Girl Scouting, the Philadelphia Freedoms will be hosting a special "Girl Scout Night" on July 17 at Villanova University. The Freedoms showcase many of the top tennis players in the world including rising American teenager Taylor Townsend. Girls and adults may attend for $20, and $5 from each ticket will go back to supporting GSEP. The evening will include a panel discussion with Freedoms tennis players covering personal anecdotes about women in sports and life as a professional athlete, followed by an on-court tennis clinic and special commemorative patch for girls. To register, visit www.gsep.org.
Celebrating Girl Scouts' long tradition of building girls of courage, confidence and character, the 2015 Centennial Award is presented in association with the nonprofit's upcoming all-girl expo at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, #GirlPOP2015. Tickets are still available for girls of all ages to hear from an outstanding lineup of speakers including all-star athlete Mo'Ne Davis, news correspondent and Chair of UNICEF's Next Generation Jenna Bush Hager, former Seventeen Magazine editor-in-chief Ann Shoket, Malala Fund CEO and co-founder Shiza Shahid, and more.
#GirlPOP2015 will feature an exciting lineup of guest speakers, interactive breakout sessions, round table discussions, and plenty of inspirational "a-ha moments." #GirlPOP2015 will show girls that they can try new things, find what they love, and grow into the leaders they want to be. Purchase tickets at www.gsep.org/girlpop.
About Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania
Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP) is the largest girl-serving organization in Pennsylvania and builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. GSEP serves more than 40,000 girls in partnership with almost 15,000 volunteers in Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton and Philadelphia counties. Today, 80 percent of women in leadership and executive roles in the U.S. were Girl Scouts. Girl Scout alumnae comprise 70 percent of women in the U.S. Congress. For further information about Girl Scouting, how to join, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, call 215-564-2030 or visit www.gsep.org.
For the latest news and convention updates, follow @GirlScoutsEPenn on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!
For more information, contact:
Jennifer Richards
215-564-2030 x1035
Cell: 267-266-9789
jrichards@gsep.org
Jamie Bartolino
215-790-4165
jbartolino@tierneyagency.com
SOURCE Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania
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