RUTHERFORD Cable is seeking nominations for the 2017 Rutherford ATHENA International Leadership Award and the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award. The ATHENA Award, named for the strong goddess of Greek mythology, is an international program founded in 1982 and dedicated to supporting, developing and honoring women leaders. The award recognizes individuals who excel in their professions, give back to their communities and help raise up other leaders, especially women.
Presented for its fourth year by founding sponsor RUTHERFORD Cable, the 2017 Rutherford ATHENA Award ceremony will be held on the evening of April 27, 2017, at the Embassy Suites Murfreesboro.
About the ATHENA Award
"The ATHENA Award exists to support, honor and develop women leaders," said Anne Henslee, ATHENA 2017 Chair. "The award is based on the ATHENA Leadership Model, which identifies eight attributes that reflect women's contributions to leadership: authentic self, relationships, giving back, collaboration, courageous acts, learning, fierce advocacy, and celebration and joy."
The 2016 ATHENA Award recipient was Dr. Rhea Seddon, surgeon, astronaut, author and public speaker, who was nominated for the award by Charity Circle of Murfreesboro. Dr. Seddon was recognized for her professional achievements as a surgeon and one of the first women admitted to the U.S. Astronauts Corps as well as her extensive volunteerism with Charity Circle and Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital. Previous Rutherford ATHENA Award recipients are Dr. Jill Austin, nominated by United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, and Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross, nominated by the MTSU June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students.
ATHENA Young Professionals Award in its second year
"This year we are pleased to include the second annual ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award, which recognizes an emerging leader under age 40 who exemplifies the ATHENA attributes and serves as a role model for young women both personally and professionally," Henslee said. The 2016 ATHENA Young Professional Award recipient was Lindsey Fournier, Development Coordinator for Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation.
Informational Meeting October 11
"Local nonprofits and businesses are invited to submit a nominee for the ATHENA Award and ATHENA Young Professional Award," Henslee said. "Making a nomination is a great way both to honor a local leader and call attention to the good works of your organization. We invite any organizations interested in making a nomination to attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, October 11, to learn more about the ATHENA program and the nominating process."
The meeting will be held at 9:15 a.m. at the Stones River Country Club in Murfreesboro, immediately following the RUTHERFORD Cable 7:30 a.m. breakfast meeting. (Reservations required: contact Carolyn Tumbleson at carolyn.tumbleson@mtsu.edu by October 6.) Organizations wishing to submit a nominee may do so by completing the online nomination form including the $120 nominating fee at www.rutherfordcable.org/athena. The deadline for nominations is December 1, 2016.
ATHENA Scholarship
In addition to recognizing leaders in the Rutherford County area, the Rutherford ATHENA program grants a nontraditional scholarship to a Rutherford County woman who is pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree later in life. The scholarship was increased in 2016 to $3,000. The 2016 scholarship recipient was Clelie Cottle, who is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Anthropology at MTSU.
"Those who have participated in the ATHENA program over the past three years can attest to the high value of the experience," Henslee said. "Furthermore, recognizing and honoring local women leaders represents an ideal synergy with RUTHERFORD Cable's mission of Moving Women Forward."
For more information about the ATHENA Award program, please contact Anne Henslee at athenalead@gmail.com.
RUTHERFORD Cable is a seven-year-old organization of more than 260 members promoting the professional advancement of women. The organization provides professional and personal development, as well as business growth through building long-term relationships, structured networking and referrals. The organization is the first chapter of the 30-year-old Nashville Cable. Visit rutherfordcable.org to learn more.
