From Alumnae E-News from GSUSA
Elizabeth “Honey” Gwin has an unrelenting passion for Girl Scouting and devotion to girls. Honey came to Girl Scouts as a volunteer and eventually became the executive director for the Prairie Girl Scout Council, now known as Girl Scouts Heart of the South. For over forty years this phenomenal woman has inspired hundreds of girls and adult volunteers.
During her tenure Honey exceeded all expectations and grew council membership from 400 to 5,000, using innovative ideas, tenacity, and a relentless work ethic. She also recognized the need for a permanent site for a residential Girl Scout camp and spent many years cultivating relationships that would accomplish this goal. Honey was instrumental in finding and securing the land for Camp Tik-A-Witha in Van Vleet, Mississippi, in 1970; and, adept as she was at utilizing resources, she convinced the architectural department at Mississippi State University to design the camp. Moreover, when the Tombigbee State Park wanted to dispose of cabins, she was first in line with a request: that the cabins be given to Girl Scouts. Soon after the camp opened, she began work on another dream—providing a residential camp session for children with special needs.
Recently, Honey reflected on the special session, now named in her honor: “We had the 35th camp for the handicapped this year. It’s the most wonderful feeling that these children get to act like other campers—they swim, they canoe... And their parents get this whole week of freedom.”
At the age of 100, Honey continues to inspire all Girl Scouts to be the best they can be, to never give up their dreams, and to stand tall with grace whenever adversity strikes. Honey insists that it’s the girls and volunteers who deserve credit for building the council and camps; however, without strong female leaders like her, girls and volunteers wouldn’t have had such a shining example of how to persevere and lead towards a better future.
Thank you Ms. Gwin for all you have done and continue to do for girls in the Heart of the South!
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