GSCNC Women of Distinction Announcement 2026!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 3, 2026

Contact:  Berniece Collis, 304-283-3645, bcollis@minghinis.com

Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital Announces 2026 Women of Distinction

Martinsburg—The Girl Scout mission aims to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Many amazing women contribute to helping us achieve this mission!.

Each year, Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital (GSCNC) honors Women of Distinction who are leaders in their communities and model the positive impact Girl Scouts can make. This year, GSCNC is proud to recognize Angelina Gray, Trish Starliper, and Mary Shipe Duke.

Angelina Gray (Jefferson) has become a driving force for advocacy, education, and youth empowerment throughout the region. As a teacher with Jefferson County Schools, a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer, Girl Scouts Troop 15099 leader, Rotary Club board member, and founder of the Eastern Panhandle “You’re Just My Type 1” diabetes support group, Gray has consistently dedicated herself to uplifting children and families. Her outreach extends through Trinity Episcopal Church and the WISH Foundation, and numerous community organizations focused on service and mentorship.

Gray’s passion for developing future leaders is evident through her extensive involvement with Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital, where she serves on the Salute to Service Advisory Board and established the local Eastern Panhandle Election Connection program for girls. Her commitment to empowering young women through education, civic engagement, and leadership opportunities has earned her numerous honors, including the GSCNC Outstanding Leader Award, Troop Service Award, and Volunteer of Excellence Award. Her previous service includes leadership roles with the  Shepherdstown Community Club, Moms Club International, and La Leche League International, and Newborns in Need, supporting infants and families in neonatal intensive care units.

With an Associate of Arts in Social Work and a Bachelor of Science in Education and Psychology, Gray has built a life centered on compassion, advocacy, and service. Whether supporting children in schools, mentoring young girls, advocating for families affected by diabetes, or volunteering throughout the community, she continues to inspire others through her dedication to improving lives across the Eastern Panhandle.

Trish Starliper (Morgan) of Berkeley Springs has demonstrated exceptional leadership through her professional career, Rotary service, church ministry, and community outreach efforts. Since 2016, she has served as a financial advisor with Edward Jones, earning the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation and helping individuals and families make informed financial decisions with confidence and stability. Alongside her husband, Shawn, Starliper remains deeply committed to faith, family, and community service throughout Morgan County and beyond.

A dedicated member of the Berkeley Springs Rotary Club since 2017, Starliper quickly emerged as a respected leader, serving as vice president and later club president during the challenging 2020–2021 year. Under her leadership, the club maintained its strong commitment to service above self while continuing to meet critical community needs. She also serves as the club’s representative to the Morgan Student Aid Fund, coordinating scholarship presentations and helping deserving students pursue higher education opportunities. She also plays a vital role in Rotary’s annual Super Bowl fundraiser, contributing countless volunteer hours and supporting the organization’s charitable initiatives.

Beyond Rotary, Starliper’s service extends deeply into youth ministry and community outreach. She has served as youth pastor since 2007, later becoming camp director for her church’s youth summer camp program while also organizing annual baccalaureate services for graduating seniors. Most recently, she assumed the role of administrative pastor within her church. Her volunteer efforts also include preparing Easter baskets for EmPowerU and Mountain Movers, serving meals at the Morgan County Starting Points Community Kitchen, teaching financial literacy through the Youth Leadership Academy at Blue Ridge, and serving on the board of the Cacapon Foundation. She is also an active member of the Berkeley Springs-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce and the Berkeley Springs Lions Club, continuing to strengthen the community through service and leadership.

Mary Shipe Duke (Berkeley) has dedicated more than 50 years to educating children, mentoring future educators, and serving communities across the Eastern Panhandle with compassion and humility. Raised in Mathias, West Virginia, she developed an early passion for service through her involvement in 4-H. A 1971 graduate of Shepherd University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education, Mary spent 45 years teaching first grade at Ranson Elementary School before continuing an additional five years as a contracted reading specialist. Her dedication to education earned her recognition as Outstanding Young Educator and Jefferson County Schools Teacher of the Year in 2008, while her encouragement and mentorship inspired countless students to pursue successful professional careers.

Together with her husband, Walt, also a retired educator, Mary established the Mary & Walter Duke Teachers Scholarship through the Eastern Panhandle Community Foundation to support local students pursuing careers in education. Beyond the classroom, Mary has devoted decades of service to the community through organizations and ministries that support individuals and families throughout the region. For 36 years, she has volunteered with Hospice of the Eastern Panhandle, where she was named Hospice Volunteer of the Year in 1991 and has helped provide comfort to patients and families while also supporting fundraising efforts that have raised more than $1 million for compassionate end-of-life care. Her service also includes co-founding Sister ACTS (Actively Caring Through Service) and volunteering with Meals on Wheels, CCAP Loaves & Fishes, and Immanuel’s House.

An avid gardener and nature enthusiast, Mary also shares her talents through the Gateway Garden Club and the Potomac Valley Audubon Society, where she leads wildflower walks and supports children’s nature education programs. Through decades of quiet leadership, generosity, and unwavering service, Mary Duke has become a beloved role model whose legacy continues to shape lives throughout the Eastern Panhandle. Her recent recognition as recipient of the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce stands as a testament to a lifetime devoted to enriching the lives of others.

About the Event

The Council’s Women of Distinction event will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg. Proceeds from WOD support Girl Scouts in the WV Eastern Panhandle region so they can gain skills and resources they need to build a lifetime of leadership, success, and adventure.

About Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital
Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital is the largest Girl Scouts council in the nation, with a commitment to build and maintain an inclusive community that respects and supports all our members. Girl Scouts provides grades K-12 the opportunity to discover, connect and take action. Girl Scouts learn new skills, explore STEM, discover the outdoors, and become entrepreneurs, all while making new friends and having fun. Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital serves over 76,000 members in 25 counties in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Our mission is to build Girl Scouts of confidence, courage, and character who make the world a better place. To volunteer, donate, reconnect, and discover how you belong in Girl Scouts, visit www.gscnc.org.

 

About Women of Distinction
Over the last 22-years, incredible women have been recognized as tremendous leaders in their communities. Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital is honored to acknowledge them and the impact they make. We are grateful to all of them for being such outstanding role models for our Girl Scouts.

 

Interested in interviewing the 2026 Women of Distinction? Contact Berniece Collis at bcollis@minghinis.com for more information.