Sage advice from Ann Baker Furrow and Lee Ann Furrow Tolsma on career and life: “Go for it!”

The Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians every year selects someone who exemplifies the qualities of Girl Scouting to honor at their annual Trefoil Society Luncheon.

This year’s honorees — mother-daughter duo Ann Baker Furrow and Lee Ann Furrow Tolsma — certainly do that. And they bowled over the audience yesterday with down-to-earth and powerful advice on how to lead a successful life.

Showing the Girl Scout salute at the luncheon yesterday, from left: Girl Scout CEO Lynne Fugate, speakers Ann Baker Furrow and Lee Ann Furrow Tolsma, and Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon.

“She taught me that her faith in God is her foundation — it’s mine, too,” said Tolsma, referring to her mother. “And don’t ever give up. The quality of your life is directly proportional to your striving for excellence.”

“I admire you,” Tolsma said to her mother. “And your determination.”

Furrow, who was raised in Maryville, said her own mother passed away when Furrow was just 17. “I grew up in a neighborhood of boys,” she said. “And I was very competitive!”

Nikki Elliott, left, and Cecilia Peterson, board chair of Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians.

That competitive spirit made Ann Baker Furrow a trailblazer for women and women’s sports:

• She was the first and only woman to play on a University of Tennessee men’s varsity sports team (1964–1965) on a full athletic scholarship.
• She was the first recipient of the Robert R. Neyland Academic Scholarship and the first female athletic scholarship recipient at UT.
• She was the first woman and youngest member (at age 26) appointed to the UT Board of Trustees, serving for 18 years.
• In 1971, she was the first woman commencement speaker.
• She was instrumental in building and developing the UT women’s golf program, raising over $2 million and serving as interim coach in 1992.

“Always set goals, try your hardest, and go for it!” Furrow said. “If you strive for excellence, you are going to have a great life.”

That goal-setting started at an early age. “When I was a Brownie, I decided I wanted to sell the most Girl Scout cookies in Blount County!” Furrow said. And she did!

Knox County Register of Deeds Sherry Witt, left, and Janet Testerman.

Tolsma is no slouch in the achievement department, either! She is president and CEO of Furrow Automotive Group, which owns Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover dealerships in Knoxville; as well as BodyWerks, a repair center; Parkside Auto, which sells previously owned vehicles; and Parkside Car & Van Rental. Plus other car businesses in Chattanooga. And she’s involved in her family’s real estate businesses.

When asked what advice she would give to her younger self, she didn’t hesitate: “It takes a village! So get in a good village!” she said. “And don’t compare yourself to others. Comparison is the death of dreams.”

When describing her daughter, Furrow said, “She has never let me down. Never — with her faith and her hard work.”

But, Furrow added, “She has sensitivity and kindness and love that I don’t have! I’m so proud of her.”

Lynne Fugate, CEO of the Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians, said the Council, which encompasses the Knoxville area as well as the Chattanooga and Tri-Cities areas, has about 3,000 girl members and 1,300 volunteers. This year about 2,000 girls participated in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, which is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world.

From left, Sheryl Taylor, Joan Cronan, and Debby Schriver.

From left, Donna Cobble, Donna Trimble, and Betsy Child.

From left, Judith Foltz, Debbie Boles, Julia Bentley, Cynthia Bogartz, and Cindy Mayfield.

Lynne Fugate, left, and Cassandra McGee Stuart, a Council board member.

From left, Cynthia D’Andrea, Elizabeth Kramer, and Jeannie Dulaney.

From left, Tammy White, David Martin, Cathy Ackermann, Rachel Ford, and Sandy Martin. Tammy White was a Trefoil Society honoree in 2022 and Sandy Martin had the honor in 2018.

Georgiana Vines, left, and retired Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Lee, who was a Trefoil Society honoree in 2024.

Leslie Testerman, left, and Jennie Johnson.

Joan Cronan, center, with the honorees: Lee Ann Furrow Tolsma, left, and Ann Baker Furrow.

From left, Mary Sue Greiner, Rose Moseley, and Harriet Hodge.

Liz Stowers, left, and Cheryl Rice.

The event at The Press Room was a sellout! The volume during the mingling period reflected that!

Sam Furrow with his daughter, Lee Ann Furrow Tolsma, left, and Maria McHale.

Hallie Duncan, left, with state Rep. Michele Carringer, center, and Karen Pershing.

Ed Shouse and Catherine Howell.

There was a little headlamp hidden among the flowers in the centerpieces! They were courtesy of Lee Ann Tolsma! One person at each table got to take it home.

Justice Lee demonstrating the one on our table!

My favorite things on the table, though, were the sleeves of Girl Scout cookies at each place setting! Best dessert ever!

Ali Fraley, left, and Chrystal Armstrong-Brown.

Mayor Indya Kincannon, left, and Janet Testerman.

Lynne Fugate making opening remarks. “Girl Scouts is where girls grow!” she said, noting that Dolly Parton was made a lifetime member of the East Tennessee Council 19 years ago. “You can’t find a much better role model for girls than Dolly Parton,” Fugate said.

The format was a panel discussion with Jenny Bushkell, left, interviewing Ann Baker Furrow, center, and Lee Ann Furrow Tolsma. Bushkell was a Trefoil Society honoree herself in 2023. This format was excellent. Much better than speeches.

Rachel Huff of Troop 20596 telling what the Girl Scout experience has meant to her.

Justice Sharon Lee holding up a lantern to symbolize that our table had a 100 percent record of donating more money — beyond the admission price — to the Girl Scouts at the luncheon.

Great job, friends!