Daphne David has spent more than 40 years in Gainesville as a champion for local children and animals.

On Tuesday, Feb. 11, she was named the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia’s 2020 Gainesville Woman of Distinction.

“She is just a delightful lady,” LaDon Shaw,  the Girls Scouts chief advancement officer of Gainesville, said. “She does embody the Girl Scout promise in the law with her commitment to the community and children.”

David was chosen as the Woman of Distinction after careful review from a Girl Scouts committee composed of local community leaders. Shaw said the group unanimously voted to give David the award.

Nominees were selected based on their community service and leadership, unique contribution to the area, ability to be a role model to girls and women, integrity and positive affiliations. 

David, who is a Girl Scout alum, has served as a volunteer with the Hall-Dawson Court Appointed Special Advocate program, which advocates for the best interests of abused or neglected children, who need court intervention.

She has also made considerable donations with her husband, Murray, to establish the Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s Christian-David Pet Family Pet Park and the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia's low-cost Christian-David Health Pet Clinic. 

The animal-friendly park offers a dedicated space for the hospital's patients to reunite with their pets. It also supports the medical center’s inpatient pet therapy program, providing clinicians with an outdoor area for their sessions. 

In April, the Humane Society’s Christian-David Healthy Pet Clinic will celebrate its two-year anniversary. 

In addition to spaying and neutering, the clinic provides low-cost vaccines, heartworm treatment, fecal testing and other basic animal health services.

During its first year the pet clinic served more than 7,500 families and 11,00 pets, and has administered more than 19,000 vaccines.

Julie Edwards, executive director of the humane society, said David and her husband are the sort of philanthropists who “don’t just write a check and walk away,” they stay engaged.

She said their generous gift to the pet clinic allows people to take care of their animals and keep them in their homes, which is one of the Humane Society’s main goals.

“Daphne and Murray are very passionate about supporting these causes that they’ve cherished,” Edwards said. “That’s incredible admirable. They don’t just help the Humane Society, but the people and pets we serve. They’ve touched so many lives.”

David will be publicly honored at the Woman of Distinction event on Tuesday, March 10, at the Chattahoochee Country Club in Gainesville. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia.