Eight local women ranging from a doctor, CEO, cheerleading coach and a city commissioner have been nominated for the 22nd ATHENA Award.
The 2020 ATHENA Award nominees:
Belinda Blair, President/CEO of Hospice of Western Kentucky
Heather Cavitt, Science Teacher and Head Cheerleading Coach, Owensboro High School
Rosemary Conder, Executive Director of CASA of Ohio Valley, Inc.
Judy Dixon, Retired Educator, Owensboro Public Schools
Joan Hayden, Hayden Electric, Inc. and Hayden Farms, LLC.
Elizabeth Ottman, MD Women’s Healthcare Partners
Alma Randolph, Founder and President of the Alma Randolph Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Pamela Smith-Wright, Owensboro City Commissioner
The ATHENA award will be presented during a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday at the Owensboro Convention Center.
Tish Correa-Osborne, chief executive officer of Girls Incorporated of Owensboro-Daviess County said they call all the nominees “local legends.”
“I personally love this and believe that is truly an honor to be recognized as a local legend,” she said.
Girls Inc. and the Owensboro Chamber of Commerce partners each year to host the event.
Osborne said The ATHENA Award is given to people who empower women and strives to better their communities as well as a celebration of the accomplishments of outstanding women in the community.
Osborne said though this year saw eight total nominees who are women, there have been up to 17 nominees in years before. Both men and women can be nominated.
“We have a lot of great women in the community,” she said. “We do love learning about the nominees’ personal stories and how they have impacted others.”
An out-of-town confidential selection committee selected the recipient.
A second award “Legacy Award” will also be given to a woman posthumously, for their work and life efforts to better the status of women.
Girls Inc. has several members girls ranging in age from 6 to 16 and former members will speak at the luncheon.
“They too will benefit from hearing about and getting a chance to interact with amazing members of the community,” Osborne said, adding the organization is expecting a record crowd.
