Lillian White Finally Gets Her Golden Eaglet

Lillian White waited more than 75 years for the award she earned as a Girl Scout in Durham.

On Sunday, White was presented with the Golden Eaglet, the symbol of scouting's highest honor and a precursor to today's Girl Scout Gold Award, during a ceremony at the opening of the Girl Scouts of Connecticut Museum in North Haven.

"It's a wonderful thing to do. I just never expected it but I'm very grateful," said White.

The 95-year-old was invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony of the organization's historical museum, where she was recognized for her decades of dedication to the scouts which she joined at the age of 10 and continued as a troop leader.

"We are presenting Lillian White with a Golden Eaglet award in recognition of all the work she did as a girl," said Tiffany Ventura, spokesperson for the Girl Scouts of Connecticut. "We felt this was a fitting time and place to present her award."

Read: 95-Year-Old Deserving of Girl Scouts' Highest Honor

Although White earned the Golden Eaglet as a young girl, the paperwork for the award was lost and she never received the honor. Until Sunday.

"My son called me from Washington State this morning and said, 'Mom, I wish I could be there,'" White said.

White was joined at the ceremony by local Girl Scout troop leaders Sheryl Slight and Carol Sibiskie who led the effort to get her the award.

"It's an honor to meet somebody who's earned their Golden Eaglet," Teresa Younger, Board President of Girl Scouts of Connecticut told White. "It's great to have you, everything you've done for being a role model for girls, and children in the community."