Girl Scouts Honor Longtime Resident

Girls Scouts of Greater Atlanta presented Eloise Wright, 102, of Marietta with a Lifetime Achievement Award, which is one of the highest honors for former Girl Scouts in Georgia.

Wright started the first African-American troop in Marietta.

Wright was presented the award at the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta's first Changing of the Worlds Awards Luncheon held Wednesday, Nov. 2, which celebrated the group's 100 years (1912-2012) as the largest girl-serving organization in the nation.

The luncheon was held at the Atlanta History Center.

The Changing the World Awards Luncheon recognizes women of courage, confidence and character, who are changing today’s world for the better.

Lifetime Achievement Awards were given to four women committed and dedicated to Girl Scouts throughout their lives, including: Margaret Perdue of Atlanta, Claire D. Smith of Atlanta, Mary Van Valkenburgh of Decatur and Eloise Wright of Marietta.

Eighty percent of women business owners, 70 percent of female legislators and virtually every female astronaut who has travelled in space were Girl Scouts. There are 50 million alumnae worldwide.