A Message from Chamber President Dennis Goldstrand:

Chamber proud host of ATHENA Award

DECEMBER 2008  - On November 13th, Mary Bava was presented with the ATHENA Award for her lifetime contribution to the community, support of the advancement of women and excellence in her career. It was a well deserved honor for her many years of giving. I am fortunate to have known Mary these past 14 years professionally and personally and extend my personal congratulations. Over 220 guests joined us to recognize Mary, our 22nd recipient, and the past recipients in attendance.

The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce is proud to be the host sponsor of this recognition. The award, named after the Greek goddess Athena, recognizes individuals who have excelled in their career, supported and encouraged the advancement of women and made significant contributions to their community.

The ATHENA was established in 1982 in Lansing , Michigan by Martha Mayhood-Mertz, a businesswoman. It has grown internationally, in addition to the 500 cities in the United States. There have been 6,000 awards given throughout the world. It was a distinct honor to have the founder, Martha Mayhood-Mertz, as our keynote speaker this year. Her warmth, inspiring message and statement that Stockton is a jewel was a highlight.

Our local ATHENA is in the process of growing and expanding with the creation of Team ATHENA, which is made up of past recipients. Their goal is to raise the standard of future events and to introduce the Young Professional ATHENA Award in 2009. It will honor young professionals (ages 20-40) who are active in leadership positions and whose personal goals follow the Athena tenets.

Team ATHENA has plans on establishing women’s leadership conferences, sponsoring scholarships to young women, initiating local mentoring programs within high schools and providing a means to develop the next generation of women leaders.

Because the ideals of Athena are congruent with the mission and purpose of the Chamber and we want to continue our support of this important recognition and the efforts of Team ATHENA, the Executive Committee voted to make Team ATHENA a permanent standing committee of the Chamber.  It will serve on a year round basis in support of the Chamber staff in increasing the standards of the award but also in identifying and supporting community wide women’s programs, mentoring young adults (both female and male) and initiating educational outreach efforts.