Two local women were honored for their exceptional efforts in the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast this month.

Dr. Sandra DeLoatch, Suffolk resident and active Girl Scout, was awarded with the Thanks Badge, the highest honor an adult Scout can earn.

Terry Scott, former chief operations officer for the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast, was posthumously awarded the Dorothy Barber Lifetime Achievement Award at the March 19 Annual Council Meeting.

“The two women both live the Girl Scout promise and law,” said Tracy Keller, chief executive officer of the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast. “They walk the walk. They both always see how much we can grow and be relevant to today’s girls.”

DeLoatch was recognized for her volunteerism and for her contributions to area Girl Scouts in developing programs to inspire girls in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

“She was instrumental in setting us up for success through technology. She has been very instrumental in bringing in community partners,” said Keller. “She’s just so giving of her time.”

DeLoatch, a professor at Norfolk State University and outgoing Girl Scout board chair, has organized programs at the university that allow Girl Scouts to work with technology- and science-related projects first hand. She made it possible for students to work directly with professors and students in those fields and explore their career options.

“She has brought that passion and that capability,” Vaughn said. “She is showing our girls that that is possible. It is not just for boys. She has been absolutely instrumental in making that happen. She is an incredible woman.”

In addition to awarding DeLoatch the Thanks Badge, the council has also created a STEM patch in her honor.

“It was created because of her,” Vaughn said. “She’s one of those women who’s not boastful. She’s so dedicated to the cause. She very rarely toots her own horn. We are very happy to do it for her because she is an incredible woman.”

Terry Scott’s family and friends attended the March 19 meeting to recognize her achievements and receive the lifetime achievement award in her honor.

“She just lived the Girl Scout promise and law in her life,” Keller said. “She was an extremely talented woman; she was very caring and kind. She was a ton of fun. She lived her life every moment.”

Keller said Scott served the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast by making more options available to the girls and giving them more opportunities to participate in Girl Scouts beyond traditional Scouting. She was very personable, bringing in several volunteers and using her connections to open doors for the Girl Scouts. She worked with staff to create partnerships that led to more opportunities for area Girl Scouts, Keller said.

“She was somebody who didn’t wait on something. She made plans and did it,” Keller said. “She was an amazing leader in every respect.”

The Dorothy Barber Lifetime Achievement Award and the Thanks Badge are two of the ways that the council is able to honor its volunteers, Vaughn said.

“We have unreal volunteers out in Suffolk. They are incredible.”