ATHENA women collaborate in support

and recognition of women leaders

APRIL 2009 - Martha Mayhood-Mertz, Founder of ATHENA International over 25 years ago became the voice and symbol of how women must celebrate and recognize the achievements of other women leaders within a community. Her vision and ideals resonate today as the Stockton Chamber has infused new life into the long-standing ATHENA award program.

Through the collaborative efforts of many past recipients which number over 22 strong, a local committee was formed to upgrade and enhance the celebrated award program that served to recognize the achievements of local women leaders. The results of those efforts have cascaded into a more formal coordinated year round effort that includes a monthly ATHENA committee meeting as part of the infrastructure within the Chamber of Commerce.

In Ms. Mayhood-Mertz’s new book-Becoming ATHENA she quotes Plato who stated, what is honored in a country, will be cultivated there. Those words dignify how the new ATHENA committee will seek to recognize the talents, skills and heart of women leaders who have not only ascended in business, but have served as role models and mentors to other women. The goal of the new committee is to cultivate the talent pool of women leaders in Stockton and to engage them in supporting others with similar dreams and hopes.

A new section of the Port O Call and soon within the Chamber website will highlight past ATHENA recipients. Referred to as “Where are they now?” this section will provide Chamber members with a look into the continued work of local women leaders who happen to be past recipients. This is but one example of how the ATHENA committee hopes to generate a resurgence of how local women leaders are recognized, but more importantly how women, and men can continue to create foundations for improving the quality of life in Stockton and the surrounding communities.

Another milestone of the ATHENA committee will be the introduction of a new award program in 2009-The Young Professional Award (YPA). Referred to as “Baby Athena”-this award will recognize young women ages 18-34 who exemplify excellence in business and action within their communities. The inaugural launch of the award will be concurrently presented at this year’s 23^rd Annual ATHENA luncheon on November 19^th.

While recent publicity has been placed onto the Stockton community with greater negativity than praise-Ms. Mayhood-Mertz’s book praises her Stockton experience when she served as the keynote speaker for the 2008 program. She noted the disarming grace and humility of our local event in honoring those women who make extraordinary contributions to Stockton. She sited the luncheon as both elegant and eloquent.

As she drove away from Stockton she softly spoke of the generosity of the ATHENA recipients, of the beautiful waterways and landscapes, of the hospitality extended to her by other women and for the passion and inspiration that palpitated within the community for making great things happen.