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Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Announces 2026 Night of a Million Dreams Gala Honorees
January 28, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Announces 2026 Women Leadership Awards
Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, NBC Journalist Blayne Alexander, and Community Advocate, Amy Vassey, to Receive Honors
Atlanta, Georgia (January 27th, 2026) - Today, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta (GSGATL) announced its 2026 honorees for the Dream Forward Award, which recognizes extraordinary women whose leadership, vision, and service are shaping a brighter future for girls and communities.
The award will be presented on March 8th, International Women’s Day, at the Night of a Million Dreams event at the Delta Flight Museum.
This year’s honorees exemplify courage, service, and a commitment to lifting others as they lead.
- Shirley Franklin: The former Atlanta Mayor, is a lifelong public servant and transformational leader recognized for revitalizing the city of Atlanta. She is a recipient of the JFK Profile in Courage Award who demonstrates a strong commitment to community, environmental, and fiscal responsibility, as well as ethical leadership, reflecting the Girl Scout life lessons she learned as a child.
- Blayne Alexander: A four-time Emmy Award–nominated journalist, is known for fearless storytelling that brings critical issues to the forefront. From covering the COVID-19 pandemic and racial injustice to Georgia’s evolving political landscape, Alexander has amplified voices that often go unheard. Her commitment to service extends beyond the newsroom through volunteer work supporting youth impacted by poverty and racial inequity.
- Amy Vassey: A dedicated member and supporter of Girl Scouting for more than six decades. As a Service Unit Director in Fayette County, she serves as a vital link between the council and local volunteers, overseeing recruitment, training, retention, and program delivery. Her ongoing volunteer efforts have positively impacted nearly 10,000 girls.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Dream Fund, which supports underserved girls across metro Atlanta. At a time when national funding for women’s and girls’ organizations remains below 3% of total philanthropic giving*, Girl Scouts continues to ensure every girl, regardless of financial circumstance, has access to its nationally recognized leadership development program.
“Today, we’re celebrating strong women who lead with purpose,” said Jai Ferrell, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. “Whether through public service, storytelling, or youth development, these honorees don’t just move forward; they lift others as they go. Their leadership sends a clear message to every girl: success isn’t just about what you achieve, it’s about the impact you leave behind.”
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*Women’s Philanthropy Institute, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and DataLake Nonprofit Research. (2025). Women & Girls Index. www.womenandgirlsindex.org
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, serving more than 33,000 members in 34 counties. Two resident camps offer girls an opportunity to unplug and enjoy nature and outdoor adventures. Girls can earn more than 300 badges and patches across a wide range of interests, including art, animal care, entrepreneurship, and environmental science. Programs are designed to support a girl’s mental and physical health while helping them build confidence and friendships to last a lifetime.
