Six residents were recognized Thursday evening at the 20th annual Women of Distinction dinner, hosted by the Girl Scouts of Central Texas.

Amid candlelit and pearl-accented tables with cupcakes featuring Girl Scout cookies, former and current Scouts, women of distinction and area officials honored the women alongside friends and family members.

Award recipients included Brig. Gen. Laura J. Richardson, commander of U.S. Army Operational Test Command, and Rose Cameron, Copperas Cove superintendent. Both Cameron and Richardson said they felt humbled and honored to be recognized.

"I'm honored because (Girl Scouts is) an organization that molds our youth, and that's what I devoted my life to," said Cameron, a former Girl Scout who has served nine years as superintendent. She will retire in June.

Each of the women recognized at the event was featured in a photo slideshow with narration that described their early life and major achievements.

Cameron's feature ended with advising current Girl Scouts to stay active in Scouting as long as possible.

"It's a tremendous opportunity to share my story, and that's important to young people in America," said Richardson, the first female commanding general at Fort Hood. "I think I have one of the coolest jobs in the Army. I get to test all the latest and greatest equipment."

Richardson's advice to young women was to do their best and aspire to great things.

Other women from the Central Texas area who received recognition included Nancy Birdwell, chief development officer for Scott & White and executive vice president and CEO of the Scott & White Healthcare Foundation; Heather Beck, development officer for the Providence Health Network; Mary Kliewer, chairperson of the Central Texas Workforce board; and Jennifer Wiginton, disaster services specialist at the American Red Cross in Bryan.

The Girl Scouts also recognized First Texas Bank as an outstanding workplace for women.