Leadership often begins at home, and Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians will celebrate that connection when it honors Ann Baker Furrow and her daughter, Lee Ann Furrow Tolsma, at the 2026 Trefoil Society Luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 22.
For the first time, the organization will recognize a mother-daughter duo at its annual fundraising event, which celebrates women whose accomplishments reflect the values of Girl Scouting.
The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. at The Press Room, 730 N. Broadway in Knoxville.
“Honoring Ann and Lee Ann together is especially meaningful because their story reflects the lasting impact of leadership across generations,” said Lynne Fugate, CEO of the Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians. “Their commitment to strength, character and community demonstrates how one generation can inspire the next, which is at the heart of the Girl Scout mission.”
A trailblazer for women in athletics and leadership
Ann Baker Furrow broke barriers at the University of Tennessee, becoming the first woman appointed to its Board of Trustees and the youngest person ever selected to serve as a trustee.
She also became the first and only woman to compete in a UT men’s varsity sport, earning a full four-year athletic scholarship in golf. She later played an instrumental role in establishing the university’s women’s golf team.
Her accomplishments on the golf course include five Tennessee Women’s Amateur Championships and the Southern Amateur Championship.
Furrow has been inducted into five sports halls of fame, including the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame and University of Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame.
Her contributions to the university and Knoxville community are also recognized through Ann Baker Furrow Boulevard, dedicated in Sorority Village along Neyland Drive.
A daughter continuing the leadership legacy
Lee Ann Furrow Tolsma has built her own record of business and community leadership as president and CEO of Furrow Automotive.
With more than three decades of experience in automotive operations, finance, strategic planning and business development, Tolsma has guided various aspects of dealership management and business operations.
Her community involvement includes serving on the Board of Visitors for Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy and the advisory board for First Horizon Bank in Knoxville.
She also co-chaired the United Way of Greater Knoxville’s $8 million 2024-25 campaign.
Together, the accomplishments of Furrow and Tolsma illustrate how leadership, service and commitment to community can span generations.
Supporting the next generation of leaders
The Trefoil Society Luncheon is named for the trefoil-shaped pin that symbolizes the ethical leadership values embraced by Girl Scouts.
The organization hosts annual luncheons throughout its service regions to recognize accomplished women while supporting programs that help girls develop courage, confidence and character.
Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Rachel Huff will also speak at the Knoxville luncheon, sharing how her Girl Scout experiences have influenced her life.
Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians serves approximately 11,500 girl and adult members across 46 counties in eastern Tennessee, southwest Virginia and northern Georgia.
Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville and Land Rover of Knoxville are presenting sponsors of the Knoxville luncheon, with Cope Architecture serving as a gold sponsor.
Attend the luncheon
The 2026 Trefoil Society Luncheon will be held Thursday, Oct. 22, at 11:30 a.m. at The Press Room, 730 N. Broadway, Knoxville.
Tickets are $125 and may be purchased through the Trefoil Society luncheon website.
For sponsorship information, contact Alicia White Price at 865-244-4188 or email development@girlscoutcsa.org.
Learn more about Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians at girlscoutcsa.org.
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