Two Spartanburg area women to be honored as Women of Distinction

Girl Scouts of South Carolina–Mountains to Midlands will honor two Spartanburg area women at its annual Boots & Pearls: Women of Distinction Awards Celebration on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at Drayton Mills in Spartanburg. The evening tribute recognizing women who exemplify excellence in service, leadership, community visibility, and professionalism begins at 6:30 p.m.

This year’s honorees are Tracey L. Jackson and Katherine O’Neill.

Tracey L. Jackson is the Executive Director at Piedmont Care, Inc. She began the position in 1998, becoming the first and only Executive Director of the organization to date. At Piedmont Care, she effectively runs a team of case managers, health educators, volunteers, and clinical providers to coordinate and provide medical, social, and psychological services for individuals and families affected by or at risk for HIV. During her tenure, she has expanded services to fill gaps in care and prevention, significantly increased resources focused on the epidemic, grown an innovative prevention program, opened an on-site medical practice, and developed key partnerships to ensure success. Tracey earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of South Carolina and Clemson University and received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of South Carolina Upstate. She is a graduate of the Management Academy of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Furman University’s Connections:  Women Leaders of the Upstate. She holds a Certificate from the Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership and Management program through The Learning Institute and Wofford College. Tracey is passionate about many things, but at the top of the list are her nephew, Isaac, and niece, Charlotte. She has introduced them to many of her other passions like Star Wars, in release order obviously with Han shooting first, and the genius that is Monty Python. Tracey loves adventure and travels the world to explore culture and history, to meet new people and explore natural wonders. Among her favorite destinations are New Zealand and Britain, though her dream is space – the final frontier.

Katherine O’Neill serves as the Chief Economic Development Officer for OneSpartanburg, Inc, the Carolina’s only consolidated business, tourism, talent, and economic development organization. Originally from Washington D.C., Katherine retired as Spartanburg County’s Administrator following a thirty-year career in South Carolina local government which included leadership positions in Darlington, and later Lexington and Spartanburg Counties where she served as the first female County Administrator in both jurisdictions. A nationally certified planner, she has a Bachelor of Art’s degree in Economics from Mary Washington College and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of South Carolina. Currently Katherine serves on the Apella Health Board of Directors as its Vice-Chairman, as well as a member of the Spartanburg County Commission for Technical and Community Education. Along with her husband Ron, she loves gardening, spending time with family, hiking, travel, and beekeeping.

Again, please help promote ticket and sponsorship information. If you would like to attend the event or speak with someone on the committee or one of the honorees, please reach out to Karen Kelly.

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