Raffle tickets will be available for a fabulous pearl and gold bead necklace donated by Christian Caine Jewelers of Shepherdstown.

MARTINSBURG – Three women who’ve made a difference in their community will be the guests of honor during the annual Women of Distinction Luncheon on Sept. 29.

The 2009 honorees are Gina Miller, Connie Perry and Joanne Wadsworth.

The Women of Distinction event benefits Girl Scouting, the premier leadership organization for girls. The Girl Scout program includes outcomes-based activities that are designed to guide girls along a lifelong path – to lead with courage, confidence and character.

The Women of Distinction Committee announced an new addition to this year’s event – Pearls for Girls.

Raffle tickets will be available for a fabulous pearl and gold bead necklace donated by Christian Caine of Shepherdstown. The necklace is an 18-inch strand of 5.5 mm freshwater pearls and 14 karat yellow-gold beads. The clasp is a 14-karat yellow-gold filigree pearl clasp.

Pearls have a unique place in Girl Scout history. Juliette Gordon Low founded Girl Scouting in 1912 in Savannah, Ga. She sold her treasured strand of matched pearls for $8,000 to fund the financial needs for the new Girl Scout organization.

Tickets can be purchased for $5 per ticket or six tickets for $25.

The pearl-strand drawing will take place at the luncheon Sept. 29, and ticket holders do not have to be present to win.

Tickets are available from any Women of Distinction Committee members; the Girl Scout Office at (304) 263-8833; the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce; and Depot Florist at 532 King St.

Women of Distinction Committee members are Berniece Collis, Leslie Crabill, Margaret Cogswell, Tina Combs, Sue Marks, Courtney Munsterman, Barbara Pichot, Lynne Seibert, Joanne Wadsworth, Maggie Witherbee and Robin Zanotti.

Additional information is available by contacting Maggie Witherbee, CEO of Girl Scouts of Shawnee Council, at (304) 263-8833.