Media Relations

Executive Director Honored on Girl Scouts' 100 Women of Distinction List

Date: Tuesday, November 13th, 2012

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Western Kentucky University's Mahurin Professor of Gifted Studies Julia Link Roberts recently joined a list of inspiring women including Barbara Kingsolver, Martha Layne Collins and Ashley, Naomi and Wynona Judd.

All were among the Girl Scouts of Kentucky's Wilderness Road's 100 Women of Distinction, named as a part of the Girls Scouts 100th anniversary celebration and recognized at a ceremony Nov. 9, 2012, at the Fasig-Tipton building in Lexington.

The Girl Scouts of Kentucky's Wilderness Road noted that the honorees were women who have made a significant contribution to the lives of Kentuckians in northern, central and eastern Kentucky and whose professional accomplishments make them positive role models who inspire girls to achieve their own goals and dreams.

Roberts, who is also executive director of The Center for Gifted Studies and the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky, was recognized for her work as an educator and advocate for gifted and talented children. She has led The Center for Gifted Studies during its entire 30-year-plus history of offering summer and Saturday programs for students nationwide and beyond, workshops for parents and professional development opportunities for educators. She also spearheaded the 10-year advocacy campaign that resulted in the Gatton Academy, Kentucky's residential high school named number one high school in the nation by Newsweek magazine in 2012. Roberts was the first recipient of the David W. Belin Advocacy Award from the National Association for Gifted Children in 2001, and in Prufrock Press's 2004 "Profiles of Influence in Gifted Education," she was described as one of the 55 most influential people in the field of gifted education.

Roberts was one of fewer than ten educators on the 100 Women of Distinction list, which included such notable names as Loretta Lynn, Sallie Bingham, Heather French Henry, and Nancy Holliday.

"Being included in the Girls Scouts’ list of distinguished women for the past century is truly an honor," Roberts said. "I support the many ways the Girl Scouts are providing opportunities for girls to build their leadership skills and develop their talents."

Click here for more information and a full list of honorees.