2005 Woman of Distinction
Honoree

Lynn W. Williams
Chair, Delaware Open Space Council

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Mrs. Williams recognized early the importance and need for environmental awareness education for young people in 1960s… decades before being an environmentalist and caring about one’s surroundings became vogue. She led the way to insure that girls had an opportunity to experience and understand the outside world. A geologist by education, she was a member of a team of scientists who surveyed that state to identify areas worthy of preservation, leading to the publication of a statewide inventory and creation of a nature preserve system law.

She has taken unsurpassed leadership roles in efforts on behalf of the environment and of young people. Through her involvement with Girl Scouts, Mrs. Williams has dedicated herself to helping girls build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with other adults, she has helped girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives -- like strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth. She has held many positions in the Girl Scout movement as an adult volunteer over the past 45 years. Mrs. Williams has taken her volunteer role seriously. She has delivered service at many different levels from her leadership on the board of directors as President in ensuring prudent financial stewardship to working with volunteers to ensure that every girl can experience the wonders of the outdoors. In addition, she has served on more than 15 boards, both private and public, for over 35 years. Mrs. Williams has been honored with numerous awards: Baxter Conservation Award, Delaware Wildlife Federation; Outstanding Conservationist in Nature Education, Red Clay Valley Association; World of Outdoors, Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Council; Twenty Years of Service and Vision, Delaware Nature Society; National Wildlife Federation Chair’s Award for Delaware; Conservationist of the Year, Delaware Audubon Society.

Mrs. William’s influence has assured solution to major environmental issues. She has ensured open spaces for generations to come in New Castle County. Founded by Lynn Williams, among others, the Delaware Nature Society instills environmental awareness through education programs. She helped negotiate a study and mapping of pollution sources on the Christina River, drawing attention to the river’s environmental problems. As Chair of the Governor’s Open Space Council, she helped create the Peterson Wildlife Refuge in 2000. She is the volunteer president of Woodlawn Trustees.

A humanitarian, leader, and conservationist, Lynn Williams has served the people Delaware for over forty-five years. She is one of the finest examples of “community service.” Through her work, thousands of people have enjoyed nature and thousands of Girl Scouts have grown strong with a deep appreciation of the environment.