RUTHERFORD Cable Announces Launch of 2018 ATHENA Awards
RUTHERFORD Cable is seeking nominations for the 2018 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 and dedicated to supporting, developing and honoring women leaders. RUTHERFORD
Cable is the founding sponsor of the local ATHENA program.
Now in its fifth year, the 2018 Rutherford ATHENA Award ceremony will be held on the evening of April
19, 2018, at the Embassy Suites Murfreesboro. Holly Thompson, co-anchor of WSMV Channel 4 News 4
Today, will be the keynote speaker. Nominations Sought for 2018 “We know there are outstanding women leaders in our community who exemplify the ATHENA tenets of professional excellence, giving back to the community and raising up other women leaders,” said Natalie Hughes, ATHENA 2018 Chair. “Some are well-known in the community, but others may not be in the public eye.”
“The ATHENA Award Program is committed to representing our diverse community in the nominating
process and ensuring objectivity in the judging process,” Hughes said. “All nominee applications are
reviewed by a team of trained judges, one from each of the nominating organizations. Judging results
are audited by Deloitte.”
The 2017 ATHENA Award recipient was Dr. Liz Rhea, retired radiologist and community philanthropist,
who was nominated for the award by Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation Ambassadors. Previous
Rutherford ATHENA Award recipients are 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 serves as a role model for young women both personally and
professionally,” Hughes said. The 2017 ATHENA Young Professional Award recipient was Dr. Alicja
Lanfear, nominated by American Association of University Women of Murfreesboro. The inaugural
recipient of the Young Professional Award in 2016 was Lindsey Fournier, nominated by RUTHERFORD
Cable.
ATHENA Interest Meeting is October 10
“Local nonprofits and businesses are invited to submit a nominee for the ATHENA Award and ATHENA
Young Professional Award,” Hughes said. “Making a nomination is a great way both to honor a local
leader and call attention to the good works of your organization.” Organizations interested in learning more about making an ATHENA nomination are invited to attend the October 10 RUTHERFORD Cable
Breakfast Meeting at Stones River Country Club. Breakfast is at 7:30 a.m., followed by a brief interest
meeting at 9:00 a.m. Reservations are required, and may be made by contacting Missy Lay at
[email protected], or 615.904.4359.
Those unable to attend the meeting may make a nomination by completing the online nomination form
including the $130 nominating fee at www.rutherfordcable.org/athena. The deadline for nominations is
December 1, 2017.
“Those who have participated in the ATHENA program over the past four years can attest to the high
value of the experience,” Hughes said. “Furthermore, recognizing and honoring local women leaders
represents an ideal synergy with RUTHERFORD Cable’s mission of Moving Women Forward.”
“We want to thank the sponsors who already have come on board for ATHENA 2018,” Hughes added.
“We greatly appreciate State Farm, TrustPoint Hospital, Farrar|Wright Attorneys and Advisors, Wax
Printing, and media sponsor VIP Murfreesboro for their support.”
For more information about the nomination process or sponsorship of the 2018 ATHENA Award
program, please contact Natalie Hughes at [email protected].
