The Nashville ATHENA Awards and Scholarship Program announced its 2017 award recipients on March 30th, 2017 at OZ Arts Nashville with special guests Mayor Megan Barry and OZ Arts CEO Tim Ozgener. Patricia Glaser Shea was honored with the 2017 ATHENA Award, and Dr. Tameka Winston received the Young Professional Leadership Award. Shea is among 23 ATHENA nominees selected this year by middle Tennessee organizations and associations, and Dr. Winston represents a class of 25 Young Professional Award nominees.
“Every year it is to no surprise that we have such an impressive and outstanding group of women representing the ATHENA and Young Professional Leadership classes. It’s always very hard for our judges to select one recipient in each category because of how outstanding each of these women are,” says ATHENA Chair Mendy Mazzo. “Patricia and Tameka have gone above and beyond to improve the communities in which we live and to inspire both women and young girls. Roxianne and I congratulate each of our recipients and our 48 nominees for their dedication and inspiration. It’s been a true honor to chair this amazing program!”
CEO Emeritus of YWCA Nashville and Middle Tennessee, Shea continues her work with the organization in a consulting role. She has re-shaped the community conversation on domestic violence, expanded services for women and children, changed laws to improve safety for victims of domestic violence, and ensured the financial stability of the 118-year old non-profit. During her 11 years leading the organization, Shea also founded the YWCA’s Advocacy Committee and MEND initiative, increased those served by domestic services and programs to over 10,000 a year, spearheaded a $1.4 million renovation for the Weaver Center, and launched a transitional housing program for women and their children to move back into the community. A co-chair of Mayor Barry’s Gender Equity Council and board member of the CNM, Shea was nominated by the International Women’s Forum’s Tennessee chapter.
Havingworked in higher education for over fifteen years, Dr.Winston is the department chair and an award-winning professor in the Department of Communications at Tennessee State University. An author and Sirius XM radio show host, she uses her platforms to serve as a mentor to, advocate for and inspire students and young adults throughout the Nashville community and nationally. Dr. Winston was nominated by Women in Higher Education in Tennessee.
Presented by Saint Thomas Health, Nashville ATHENA continues to be a premier program, powered by CABLE. The annual event is organized and sponsored through the collaborative efforts of local women’s organizations in partnership with local businesses, corporations and individual sponsors, unlike other cities, which rely upon their local Chamber of Commerce.
The ATHENA Awards Program honors business and professional women for their career success, service to community and encouragement of women. This year’s ATHENA nominees include:
Council Member Burkley M. Allen
Rebecca Bayne
Renee Bobb
Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Hill
Brown Felder
Rebecca S. Climer
Dr. Angela J. Gaskin
Rep. Brenda J. Gilmore
Dr. Glenda Glover
Kim Hawkins
Rita F. Johnson-Mills
Elizabeth L. Knox
Marlee Mitchell
Hasina A. Mohyuddin
Mekesha H. Montgomery
Patricia Glaser Shea
Laura Smith
Joycelyn A. Stevenson
Dr. Wendy J. Thompson
Nicole Tremblett
Evette White
Tawana Williams
Dr. Letha Woods
Shannon Wright
To see our event video of the Traditional Nominees Click Here
ATHENA also provides the unique opportunity to feature rising women in the community who use their vision and persistence to excel, while reaching out and opening the way for others. This year’s ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award nominees include:
Katie Alexander
Sloan C. Allen
Dr. Nicole K. Arrighi
Tonya Austin
Staci L. Bockman
Christina M. Carlisle
Meg M. Chamblee
Erin D. Coleman
Nikki N. Fant
Amanda Strickland Floyd
Meagan E. Frazier
Hart Harrison
Kellee N. Hill
Monchiere’ Holmes-Jones
Royya L. James
Penny Grace Judd
Daveisha S. Moore
Sarah S. Moore
Tera Rica Murdock
Chara H. Rand
Dr. Crystal G. Rucker
Crissy Wieck Welhoelter
Caroline Randall Williams
Dr. Tameka Winston
Alisha Wix
Launched in 1993 through the support of the Patrons Society and local sponsors, the ATHENA Scholarship Program awards middle Tennessee high school females and young women, both traditional and non-traditional, scholarships for continuing their education. This year ATHENA presented $17,000 in scholarships to eight deserving students, who include:
Lauren Cravens ATHENA Patrons Society scholarship
Shelby Farrar UPS scholarship
Samantha Hawkins Tony and Mendy Mazzo scholarship
Helena Makendengue Women in Technology scholarship
Gabrielle Napper First Tennessee scholarship
Lean Shakhtour Saint Thomas Health scholarship
Sabrina To ATHENA Patrons Society scholarship
Mendy Mazzo, Vice President of Skanska, serves as the 2017 ATHENA Awards Program Chair with the support of co-chair Roxianne Bethune, Senior Executive President of Alliance Synergy Group, LLC.
”Mendy and I are honored to be involved with this organization and program,” says Bethune. “This program would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, committee members, CABLE and nominating organizations. I look forward to chairing the 2018 awards program, and celebrating another incredible class of women leaders.”