Burlington woman wins Girl Scouts award
Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois has honored Amy Burkhart of Burlington as the 2024 Woman of Distinction.
Annually, a woman from the community is chosen for her dedication to making the world a better place, according to a Monday Girl Scouts release. The 200-person event occurred on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Catfish Bend Event Center.
“The energy Amy brings to our community is undeniable,” Kay Sackville, chair of the Woman of Distinction event committee, said in the release. “Amy is a phenomenal role model for Girl Scouts, and we are honored to celebrate her accomplishments.”
Recent Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Kaylee Kramer was also celebrated at the Woman of Distinction event. Kramer achieved the highest award in Girl Scouts for painting a mural with legendary artists at The Capitol Theater in Burlington. After learning about art’s positive impact on depression, the high school senior decided to create public art to inspire mental wellness.
“Girl Scouts like Kaylee are the future leaders of our community,” Diane Nelson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, said. “At such a young age, she’s creating positive change and inspiring kids and adults. I’m in awe of what Girl Scouts can achieve.”
Burkhart is the marketing consultant for Titan Broadcasting & Digital Group. She has over 25 years of marketing and public relations experience. She assists over 150 businesses throughout the region in growing their business and their brand through crafting marketing plans, implementing strategic marketing initiatives and developing creative content to deploy on air and online to help grow their business and their brand.
Prior to working for Titan Broadcasting & Digital Group, Burkhart spent many years in healthcare marketing. She is former community relations director of Fort Madison Community Hospital and community liaison for Great River Home Health and Hospice. In the latter position, she played a significant role in the opening of the Great River Hospice House (now known as the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House).
Burkhart is very involved in the community, serving on the executive board of the Burlington Bees’ Baseball Association and as president of the West Burlington Fine Arts Boosters and West Burlington High School Alumni Association. Amy is also appointed by Iowa’s Governor to serve as commissioner on the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission.
Additionally, she volunteers on many committees including the Greater Burlington Leadership program and Hetta Gilbert Children’s Medical Organization. She has previously served on the boards of the Burlington/West Burlington Chamber of Commerce, Fort Madison Chamber of Commerce, North Lee County Relay for Life, Burlington Steamboat Days, Burlington Riverfront Entertainment, and the Miss Burlington Scholarship Program.
Burkhart’s legacy of community service started years ago when she served the community as Miss Burlington 1996 and her platform, Give 5 for the Earth, won the State of Iowa Community Service Award at the Miss Iowa Scholarship Pageant.
Amy and her husband, Jeff, have two sons, Sage and Kale.
Previous women honored as the Woman of Distinction includes the late Jill Blackwood, the late Ruth C. Stein, Jane Adams, Janet McCannon, Dr. Frances Jackson, Karen Hassel, Donna Logan, the late Betty Thye, Dr. Beverly Simone, Terri Dowell, Teresa Colgan, Dr. JoEllen Hoth, Ann Menke, Martha Wolf, Amy O’Brien, Becky Rump, Kay Sackville, Tammy McCoy, Beth Fleming, Joyce Vance, and Julie Anderson.
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