Each year the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio (GSNEO) recognizes 10 women who go above and beyond to make our communities better places to live and work, with a Women of Distinction Award. This year’s honorees included Lorna Wisham, vice president, Corporate Affairs and Community Involvement, and president, FirstEnergy Foundation.

Lorna said she was honored to be recognized in the 10th year of this award celebration, which was held virtually on May 7.

“FirstEnergy has a wonderful, long-standing partnership with the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio,” she said. “We have a thriving Girl Power patch program supported by numerous FirstEnergy employees, and Chris Walker (senior vice president & chief Human Resources officer) ​serves on the board of directors.”

Lorna noted that her father, Clay Wisham, was a huge role model in her desire for community service.

“My father passed away in 2016, but I still feel his presence. He was one of the first blacks hired at The Illuminating Company in Human Resources and he was very active with the company’s speakers bureau,” she said. “After 24 years of service, he retired from Centerior Energy – at that time the parent company of The Illuminating Company – but not without leaving a great impression on me about the company. When I was hired by FirstEnergy in 2005, he was thrilled to see I was able to continue his legacy and my desire to help turn around communities.”

The Women of Distinction Awards event benefits GSNEO scholarships and financial aid for girls in need. These funds are designated for programs, uniforms, books, camp and membership fees for girls throughout the council’s 18-county footprint.