Marci Mowery, president of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, has been named a 2026 Woman of Distinction for her lifelong commitment to conservation and empowering women in the outdoors. Confidence and self-sufficiency learned through Girl ScoutsInspired by her grandfather, an avid outdoorsman, Mowery spent summers at her family camp in Driftwood and later became a Girl Scout, where she learned confidence and self-sufficiency.”Being outdoors is empowering,” Mowery said.She returned as a troop leader for 12 years, helping girls discover their own strength.”We were camping in the Adirondacks, a girl came back, and somebody asked her, ‘What did you learn?’ She goes, ‘I learned I could solo carry a canoe,'” Mowery said.Mowery’s determination was evident early on when she wanted to attend Girl Scout camp.”I wanted to go to Girl Scout camp, and my family didn’t have a lot of means, and so I applied for a scholarship. And then I raised money by doing errands, and I had a Planters peanut can, and I would put my money into the Planters can. I was 11,” she said. Seven years later, she became the first in her family to attend college, paying her way through.High praise from colleagues Her grit now fuels her work leading conservation efforts across Pennsylvania’s 135 state parks and forests.”She’s not afraid to speak up,” said Mary Soderberg, a board member of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation.”Marci has to keep her fingers on everything,” Soderberg added. “She’s at the pulse of it all.”Monica Gould, president of Strategic Consulting Partners, praised Mowery’s impact.”She is building a phenomenal legacy for Pennsylvania and especially for women in Pennsylvania and women in conservation, in particular,” Gould said.Mowery shared advice that keeps her moving forward: “Don’t underestimate yourself. Follow your dreams and passions and know that you don’t need to know it all right now, that you’ll grow into it. We don’t all have the answers at any age of our lives. We have multiple chapters in our book and just embrace each chapter.”Gould added, “I’ve seen her really kind of spearhead and take people along – ways that no one else would have the courage to do.”Mowery represents the outdoors pillar of the 2026 Women of Distinction Awards.”So proud of her. Really proud of her,” Soderberg said.The Girl Scouts 2026 Women of Distinction honorees will be featured every Friday, with the gala held in Gettysburg on April 21.
Marci Mowery, president of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, has been named a 2026 Woman of Distinction for her lifelong commitment to conservation and empowering women in the outdoors.
Confidence and self-sufficiency learned through Girl Scouts
Inspired by her grandfather, an avid outdoorsman, Mowery spent summers at her family camp in Driftwood and later became a Girl Scout, where she learned confidence and self-sufficiency.
“Being outdoors is empowering,” Mowery said.
She returned as a troop leader for 12 years, helping girls discover their own strength.
“We were camping in the Adirondacks, a girl came back, and somebody asked her, ‘What did you learn?’ She goes, ‘I learned I could solo carry a canoe,'” Mowery said.
Mowery’s determination was evident early on when she wanted to attend Girl Scout camp.
“I wanted to go to Girl Scout camp, and my family didn’t have a lot of means, and so I applied for a scholarship. And then I raised money by doing errands, and I had a Planters peanut can, and I would put my money into the Planters can. I was 11,” she said.
Seven years later, she became the first in her family to attend college, paying her way through.
High praise from colleagues
Her grit now fuels her work leading conservation efforts across Pennsylvania’s 135 state parks and forests.
“She’s not afraid to speak up,” said Mary Soderberg, a board member of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation.
“Marci has to keep her fingers on everything,” Soderberg added. “She’s at the pulse of it all.”
Monica Gould, president of Strategic Consulting Partners, praised Mowery’s impact.
“She is building a phenomenal legacy for Pennsylvania and especially for women in Pennsylvania and women in conservation, in particular,” Gould said.
Mowery shared advice that keeps her moving forward: “Don’t underestimate yourself. Follow your dreams and passions and know that you don’t need to know it all right now, that you’ll grow into it. We don’t all have the answers at any age of our lives. We have multiple chapters in our book and just embrace each chapter.”
Gould added, “I’ve seen her really kind of spearhead and take people along – ways that no one else would have the courage to do.”
Mowery represents the outdoors pillar of the 2026 Women of Distinction Awards.
“So proud of her. Really proud of her,” Soderberg said.
The Girl Scouts 2026 Women of Distinction honorees will be featured every Friday, with the gala held in Gettysburg on April 21.