THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 12, 1994 TAG: 9406100184
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Janelle La Bouve
DATELINE: 940612 LENGTH: Medium
As an adult, she has not forgotten what the Scouting program meant to her. Recently she was one of 12 recipients of the 1994 Women of Distinction Award from the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast. The honor acknowledges the contributions of former Scouts to their community.
{REST} ``Primarily the award recognizes a passage into womanhood which portrays what Scouting is all about,'' Alexander said.
She recalls times that might have been traumatic apart from the influence of the organization.
``When I was growing up, my father was in the military. We never stayed anywhere longer than two years,'' she said. ``Scouting gave me a solid foundation. No matter where we moved, Mom always made sure I got into a Brownie or Girl Scout troop.
``It was like a bridge to the community that I was going into,'' she said. ``I was able to adjust quickly in my new surroundings. I felt that I always had friends that I could connect with.''
As a Girl Scout she gained self confidence.
``It empowered me with the ability to make my way,'' she said. ``Scouting helped me to adjust in adult life as I moved from high school to college and then to the work force.''
As recreation superintendent for the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department, Alexander's responsibilities include all six community centers, organized athletics for youth, adults and seniors, therapeutic programs and overseeing Northwest River Park.
``I don't have a whole lot of time to get into any trouble,'' she said.
Recently she spearheaded a city-wide teen council for 12- to 18-year-olds. She's on the Mayor's Task Force on Drugs and is the chairperson for Chesapeake Volunteers in Youth Services.
Currently she is participating in a campaign to build a Girl Scout office complex and outdoor camping area on Cedar Road.
Full name: Judy N. Alexander
Birthdate: Sept. 9, 1947
Grew up: ``I was born in Georgia. My family traveled up and down the coast between Rhode Island, Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. Then we moved to California.''
Fond childhood memories: ``Visiting my grandparents in Georgia. They had a farm. I enjoyed snapping beans, canning, working the garden and going to those all-day gospel sings.''
Spouse: R. Fort Alexander
Occupation: Recreation superintendent for Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department.
Pets: A black cocker spaniel named Ike
Last book read: ``The Firm'' by John Grisham. ``I saw the movie, then read the book.''
Favorite type of music: ``I enjoy all types of jazz.''
Favorite movie: ``It's between `Gone With the Wind' and `Hook,' which brought back a lot of childhood memories.''
Hobbies: ``I enjoy working with youth.''
Can't resist: ``Talking. I think everyone I know would agree with that.''
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``Probably it would be to listen more. I'm trying to work on that.''
Greatest accomplishment: ``That's hard. There are so many things that you achieve that are so insignificant. Sometimes those mean the most to you. It's important to be able to achieve the little things as well as to accomplish the big things.''
Favorite TV program: `` `Murder She Wrote.' I'm a processor, and I like to try to figure it out before the end of the program.''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: Christie's
Biggest problem facing Chesapeake: ``Rapid growth. We see it in our programs when we're trying to keep up with demands of the citizens.''
Favorite way to spend a day off: ``I like working in the yard and just watching nature. We have a muskrat and ducks in the waterway behind us.''
by CNB