Girl Scout Council honors women who excel in their fields

Hard work, dedication and a commitment to do the right thing are three guides for ReNay Trotter's life.

"If you have that mind-set, you can ultimately achieve what you want," said Mrs. Trotter, who will receive the Women of Excellence Award in business at a banquet Friday, June 3, at Radisson Riverfront Hotel Augusta.

For 17 years, the Central Savannah River Girl Scout Council has honored area women for their achievements in the arts, business, community service, education, health, government and professions.

Trotter, a loan officer at the SRP Federal Credit Union in North Augusta, has been in the banking industry for 23 years.

Without a college degree, she used those three keys to become a vice president at Wachovia and a vice president at First Citizens Bank before moving to her current position.

"It's made me appreciate it much more," she said.

More than 80 women were nominated for the award, said Susan Simmons, the public relations director for the council.

Sandra K. Johnson will receive the award in the community service category.

She worked with other charities, including the American Cancer Society, before becoming the executive director of Safe Homes of Augusta, where she helps domestic-violence victims.

"It's challenging, but it can be rewarding. If you save one life, it's worth it," said Johnson, whose organization serves 10 counties in east Georgia and finds shelter for more than 200 people each year.

The arts recipient, Lillie Morris, said she's humbled to receive the award.

Morris studied arts and music in college, but in an attempt to be more "practical," she pursued a career as a nurse.

After 25 years, she said, she found her artistic side was still calling.

She owns Broad Strokes Art Gallery on Broad Street and plays Celtic music.

Julie Ginn Moretz, who will receive the award in the health category, went from being a vocal parent involved in her child's health care to the director of the family services department at the Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center.

When her 14-year-old son, Daniel, was a newborn, he underwent the first of many heart surgeries.

"When you hospitalize a child, you hospitalize the entire family," she said.

Her input led to some design features at the Children's Medical Center, which opened six years ago, including a place for parents to stay with their children.

Alice M. Frye, the vice president of instructional and student services at Augusta Technical College who will get the award in the education category, entered the education arena by teaching nursing classes.

"There are so many wonderful educators; I'm humbled by the nomination," she said.

Estelle S. Parsley, the director of news and operations at television station WRDW (Channel 12), is the recipient in the professions category. She said the award should go to her whole news team.

"There's no one person who does it all. There are so many shining stars," she said.

Jacqueline Wilkins will receive the award in the government category. Wilkins is the budget analyst for the U.S. Department of Energy's financial office at Savannah River Site.

She has served as a loaned executive for the United Way of the CSRA, the vice president of Federally Employed Women and executive vice president of Blacks in Government.