Lynda Askew recognized as Girl Scouts Gainesville Woman of Distinction for 2017

Lynda Askew was honored as the 2017 Gainesville Woman of Distinction Tuesday at a luncheon hosted by the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia.
 
"The things she's done in the community are just awesome," said LaDon Shaw, Director of Business Operations at the luncheon. "She's been a leader, she's been involved with domestic violence since before it was fashionable. She's worked with the United Way, she's worked with a variety of different nonprofits, she's been on a number of boards and made a difference in the community all the way around."
 
Each year, the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia selects a Gainesville Woman of Distinction based on her service to the community and the example she sets for girls in the community, according to Shaw. A group of community leaders selects a winner each year.
 
"There are so many wonderful women leaders in the Gainesville area but Lynda has done so much for the community in so many different ways," said Sue Else, CEO of Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia. "What we try to do with Girl Scouts is really show leaders and mentors that the girls can say... 'you know what, I really want to work in that field, I really want to do that when I get older, that seems like something that would be interesting to me.' And, Lynda is the epitome of showing girls what they can do if they put their mind to it."
 
Askew has given back to Gainesville in many ways, including being a founding member on the boards of multiple philanthropies including Gateway House, The Guest House and Teen Pregnancy Prevention. She served as chair of Healthy Hall Partnership, working with the Medical Center Foundation in community needed assessments. She was also on the board and the chair of the North Georgia Community Foundation, has worked with the United Way of Hall County and the Hall County Medical Society on their Health Access Initiative. She is also an active member of her church, Gainesville First United Methodist.
 
"It's just been a great honor for me to be able to participate in this community for 40 years. It's a great place to live, a great place to be and there are great people to work with," said Askew about her award.
 
"I think it says [to girls in the community] if you have an interest, if you have a passion for something find an outlet for it or make an outlet for it because there are a lot of things that need to be done and a lot of good people you can work with to get them done."