RUTHERFORD Cable is seeking nominations for the 2020 Rutherford ATHENA International Leadership Award and ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award.
The ATHENA Award, named for the strong goddess of Greek mythology, is an international program founded in 1982. The tenets of an ATHENA woman include authentic self, growing relationships, giving back, collaboration, courageous acts, learning, fierce advocacy, celebration, and joy. RUTHERFORD Cable is the founding sponsor of the local ATHENA program.
Now in its seventh year, the 2020 Rutherford ATHENA Award ceremony will be held as a luncheon on Friday, April 17, 2020, at the Embassy Suites Murfreesboro.
Nominations Sought for 2019
“Many accomplished and dedicated individuals are not necessarily in the public eye; there are unsung heroes and quiet warriors among us who deserve recognition,” said Amelia Bozeman, ATHENA 2020 Chair. “The ATHENA committee invites businesses, nonprofits, and organizations throughout Rutherford County to submit their nominations.”
“We are committed to representing and celebrating our wonderfully diverse community in the nominating process, as well as to ensuring independent objectivity in the judging process,” Bozeman said. “A panel of judges will be selected from the community at-large and trained; nominees are judged strictly on the material each submits and not by public opinion or title. Results will then be independently audited to ensure fairness.”
The 2019 ATHENA Award recipient was Murfreesboro City Schools Director Dr. Linda Gilbert who was nominated by United Way of Rutherford & Cannon Counties. Previous Rutherford ATHENA Award recipients are Dr. Sherry Galloway, nominated for the award by Charity Circle of Murfreesboro, Dr. Liz Rhea, nominated by Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation Ambassadors, Dr. Rhea Seddon, nominated by Charity Circle of Murfreesboro, 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 Professional Award
“The ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award recognizes an emerging leader under age 40 who exemplifies the ATHENA attributes and who serves as a role model for young women both personally and professionally,” Bozeman explained.
The 2019 ATHENA Young Professional Award recipient was Erin Rains, a family nurse practitioner with Saint Thomas Medical Partners. Previous recipients of the Young Professional Award were Yolanda Greene, nominated by MTSU Jennings A. Jones College of Business, Dr. Alicja Lanfear, nominated by American Association of University Women of Murfreesboro, and Lindsey Fournier, nominated by RUTHERFORD Cable.
2020 ATHENA Awards Ceremony
The ATHENA 2020 Awards Ceremony will feature inspiring video conversations with nominees as well as with representatives from their respective nominating organizations.
“Through submitting nominations for the 2020 ATHENA Award and the ATHENA Young Professional Award, organizations will not only support their own nominees, but also celebrate women in leadership throughout our community,” Bozeman said.
We are thankful for the organizations which have already committed to sponsoring the 2020 Rutherford ATHENA Award Program: RUTHERFORD Cable, Pinnacle Bank, Farrar Wright, Redstone Federal Credit Union, State Farm, Ascend Federal Credit Union, and Deloitte.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available; organizations interested in sponsoring the awards should contact ATHENA Vice Chair Julie Lewis at julie.lewis@pnfp.com.
RUTHERFORD Cable is the premier leadership organization for women’s professional advancement in Middle Tennessee. It is a 250+ member organization with an established network of diverse professionals committed to connecting women and opportunity. The organization is the first chapter of the 30-year-old Nashville Cable. Visit rutherfordcable.org to learn more.