The Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, along with community members, family and friends honored Julia Cromartie as the 2016 Gainesville Woman of Distinction at a luncheon Tuesday.
"I just want to say I'm being recognized for what so many people have done after what I did. Everybody has done beyond what I thought they would do. So... It's wonderful," Cromartie said.
Cromartie was chosen for the award for her contributions to the community, according to Sue Else, CEO of Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia.
"She's just been so inspiring in this community, working with other not for profits, working around STEM issues, making sure she's environmentally conscious and working with groups, like domestic violence victims, people who are really helping those that need the leg up and that's truly what we hope for our Girl Scouts."
In the early 1970's, Cromartie served as the Director of Christian Education at Grace Episcopal Church in Gainesville and took an interest in helping families from Cambodia, not just providing necessities but coordinating doctor visits and enrolling children in school, according to a biography from the Girl Scouts.
Cromartie is known in Gainesville for her involvement in the community, such as serving as acting director of the Northeast Georgia Speech Center and teaching science at Brenau Academy and Gainesville College.
She was also the director of the North Georgia Community Foundation, serving the foundation while it started up. She was a founding member of the Gateway House, a domestic violence shelter for women and children and continues to serve on their board, as well as on the Judicial Task Force for Family Violence Prevention.
Cromartie continued trailblazing and helped found the Elachee Nature Center and WomenSource, which helps connect women in the community and facilitates support groups and counseling.
"Julia is one of a small group of people I think many of us consider Gainesville's treasure. She's involved in so many good things and she wants to help with anything that will lift somebody up," said Bill Coates, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Gainesville. "I would really be sad if I had to live in a community without somebody like Julia Cromartie."
Mistress of Ceremonies for the lunch and Cadet Scout Virginia Hill said the Woman of Distinction award matters to her and her fellow Girl Scouts. "They're a symbol of women who started where we are basically and worked their way up to having luncheons and a having a bunch of people who admire them. Girls see that they're not just a face in the crowd."
For the past 18 years, the Girl Scouts in Gainesville-Hall County have selected a woman who they think exemplifies the Girl Scout standards. Cromartie joins women like Ruth Bruner, Rosemary Dodd, Myrtle Figueras, Frances Meadows and Lessie B. Smithgall, and many others, who have won the award.
