Colorado Springs, CO - Girl Scouts - The search is over! For the last two months, Girl Scouts - Wagon Wheel Council has conducted an extensive nationwide search to find the nation's oldest living Girl Scout, and we believe we have found her.

Marianne Elser Crowder, born in 1906 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, was a Girl Scout in Wagon Wheel Council's Troop 4 beginning in 1918. She earned her Golden Eaglet (the highest award in Girl Scouting, now called the Gold Award) through the council and learned life skills such as sewing, first aid andcooking. In her life story, Marianne remarks that Girl Scouting "filled a big need" for her and her family.

Girl Scouts - Wagon Wheel Council willfly Marianne Elser Crowder and her daughter from California to Colorado Springs to honor her as our Girl Scout of Distinction at the 8th annual Women of Distinction event. The event, which recognizes women who make a difference and commemorates the inception of Girl Scouting in 1912, will be held on Monday, March 12, 2007 at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs,Colorado.

If you would like to join us to meet Marianne Elser Crowder and honor the 2007 Women of Distinction and Mary Jean Larson Award recipient, please contact Christi-Marie Butler at (719) 597-8603 x 27.

Since 1917, Girl Scouts - Wagon Wheel Council has provided girls in the Pikes Peak Region with an experience unlike any other and opportunities to build courage, confidence, and character, to make the world a better place.

To learn more, visit the GSWWC Website at www.girlscouts-wwc.org