Women of Distinction
Save the Date for Women of Distinction 2026
March 4, 2026 | Armature Works
Support the next generation of female leaders in 2026. Plan to join us on March 4 at Armature Works in Tampa for the 2026 Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon!
The Women of Distinction Luncheon celebrates extraordinary women who exemplify the Girl Scout Promise and Law as business, community and philanthropic leaders. Their courage, confidence, and character make them role models for Girl Scouts and all women, as they make the world a better place.
In its 34th year, this event is the longest running Women's History Month Celebration and attracts more than 600 business and community leaders across Tampa Bay.
Nominations for Women of Distinction 2026 Honorees are Now Open.
If you know a woman who has made an extraordinary civic, professional or philanthropic impact, nominate her to be a Woman of Distinction or Woman of Promise.
Explore the Benefits of Sponsoring Women of Distinction
Make a meaningful impact for the girls in our community by supporting the Women of Distinction Luncheon.
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Angelique Lenox at alenox@gswcf.org.
Meet the 2026 Women of Distinction Honorary Chairs
Dr. Moira Burke, 1992 Woman of Distinction – Physician and Retired
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force Reserves 
Dr. Moira Burke grew up near Buffalo, New York. After graduating from Vassar College, she earned her medical degree from the State University of New York and completed her surgical training in Philadelphia. In 1975, she moved to Tampa, becoming one of the first women in surgical practice in the area.
Following 32 years in private practice, she was recruited to teach cataract surgery to ophthalmology residents at the Morsani College of Medicine, where she served as a clinical professor in the Department of Surgery. Over the years, she received the Excellence in Surgical Teaching award five times—an honor that was eventually renamed in her recognition.
Now retired from both medicine and her role as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, Moira remains active in community affairs, where she has held numerous positions of responsibility and received many honors. She enjoys a variety of hobbies, but most of all, she’s crazy about her grandchildren.
Veronica Cintron, 2022 Woman of Promise – Vice President of Marketing,
Communications and Strategy at Tampa International Airport
Veronica Cintron joined Tampa International Airport in April 2020. As Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Strategy, she oversees all internal and external messaging and strategic branding for America’s Favorite Airport. Before joining TPA’s award-winning Communications and Marketing teams, she was Spectrum Bay News 9’s primary weekday evening anchor for 10 years. Her work earned six Suncoast Chapter Emmy awards, Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists awards, and Society of Professional Journalists Sunshine State awards.
Veronica serves on The Florida Aquarium Board of Directors and is a member of the University of South Florida’s Zimmerman School of Advertising and Communications Advisory Council. She is Vice-Chair of the Marketing & Communications and Customer Experience Steering Committee for Airports Council International North America and a member of the London-based Royal Aeronautical Society.
She is a 2022 Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 honoree, the 2022 Girl Scouts of West Central Florida Woman of Promise, and a member of the Athena Society and the Tampa Bay Women’s C-Suite Group. Veronica graduated from the University of South Florida and lives with her husband and 10-year-old daughter in Tampa.
Dr. Tonjua Williams, 2020 Woman of Distinction – President of St.
Petersburg College
Dr. Tonjua Williams is a nationally recognized leader in higher education and the President of St. Petersburg College (SPC). With a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Barry University and more than three decades of academic leadership, she is known for driving innovative solutions and championing student success.
Since becoming SPC’s president, Dr. Williams has strengthened the College’s fiscal health, improved graduation and retention rates, and expanded workforce pathways aligned with industry needs. Her strategic leadership led to SPC being named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars and achieving national rankings in online education and veteran support.
Dr. Williams has been recognized among Florida Trend’s “Florida 500”, Tampa Bay’s Power 100, and the Inaugural Tampa Bay Titan 100, and was the 2024 recipient of the Community College Baccalaureate Association’s Pioneer Award.
She has served on numerous local, state, and national boards, including the AVID National Board of Directors, American Association of Community Colleges, Florida Council of 100, and the Florida Chamber Foundation Board of Trustees.
2025 Women of Distinction Luncheon
Thanks to all who participated in the 2025 Women of Distinction Luncheon on March 12, and for your ongoing support of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida.
EVENT RECAP
