The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and Girls Incorporated are accepting nominations for the 24th annual ATHENA Award. The prestigious award honors someone within the community who demonstrated professional excellence, devoted time and energy to the community, and assisted women in attaining their full leadership potential.
Last year the award was announced during a virtual event but the organizations are hopeful that in 2022 the program can be in person.
The deadline for submitting nominations is Jan. 7. Nomination forms may be obtained by contacting the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce at 270- 926-1860 or Girls Incorporated at 270-684-7833.
Once the nominations are received, nominees will be required to complete a nomination questionnaire that details their achievements. The selection of the recipient is then made from outside the community.
The award recipient must meet each of the following criteria:
- Actively assisted women in realizing their full leadership potential
- Demonstrated excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession
- Provided valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community.
Eligibility requirements are as follows:
- Both females and males are eligible.
- The nominee must live in, work in, or influence the Owensboro-Daviess County community.
- Past ATHENA Award recipients are not eligible; however, past nominees are.
- There is no age qualification.
- Nominees do not need to be actively employed to be considered.
- Award candidates may not nominate themselves.
- Current or past affiliation with Girls Inc., the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce or award sponsors is not a prerequisite for consideration or given undue weight in the selection process.
- No staff member of Girls Inc. or the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce or award committee member is eligible for consideration during their active tenure.
- No posthumous awards will be given except for the possibility of a person who died within the current year of the award.
“We are pleased to again honor and highlight individuals who through their professional endeavors, passion and dedication have made a positive impact on women and our entire community,” said Sue Napper, ATHENA Chairperson. “The input of the community, through the nomination process, is critical in identifying individuals, male or female, who embody the spirit of the award.”
Tish Correa-Osborne, Girls Inc. CEO, added that The ATHENA Award “has grown to be a major event in our community and we are hopeful that we can gather together to celebrate our mission and women past and present in our community.”
The local Girls Inc. chapter and GO Chamber in 1999 began a focused and collaborative effort, embracing the ATHENA vision to recognize and celebrate not only the contributions of women but more importantly those individuals who opened doors and enabled other women to be self-sufficient and to reach their full potential.
This effort has resulted in widespread community support of the program and the showcasing of the efforts of many individuals in the community.
In addition, in 2017, the annual award program expanded to include the Legacy Award, which posthumously honors individuals who had a profound impact on the community and women.
Last year Sara Hemingway was honored with the 2021 ATHENA Award and Clemmie Wolf was the recipient of the Legacy Award.
