photo by: Joselyn King

Lori Jones, executive director of YWCA Wheeling, takes the podium during a press conference to announce this year’s ATHENA Leadership Awards ceremonies honoring local women who excel in their fields. Nominations are being accepted, and forms may be found at WheelingChamber.com.

The third annual ATHENA Women’s Leadership Awards luncheon is set, and organizers are now seeking the names of female leaders and role models worthy of recognition.

The Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce and the YWCA Wheeling are partnering again on the awards ceremony, which is set for May 15 at Wheeling Park’s White Palace.

A press conference to announce the event took place earlier this week at the White Palace. WesBanco is the title sponsor. Retired WTRF news director Brenda Danehart will be the keynote speaker.

Brooke Anderson, director of marketing for the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, explained the ATHENA award is an international award given in 11 countries and 48 states in America for the past 40 years.

It has been happening in the Ohio Valley for the past three years.

“We love taking the opportunity to highlight women in our communities that are doing amazing things, and following the eight pillars the ATHENA organization follows,” Anderson explained.

She explained those pillars are to live authentically, learn constantly, build relationships, foster collaboration, act courageously, advocate fiercely, give back and celebrate.

“We like to hone in on that eighth pillar of celebration,” Anderson continued. “There are a lot of people and women who are doing amazing things and don’t always get the recognition they deserve.”

Nominations for the ATHENA award are currently open, and those wanting to nominate someone can find the nomination form at WheelingChamber.com. Nominations should be emailed to reception@wheelingchamber.com, and the deadline is April 10.

The YWCA Wheeling in years past held its own “Tribute To Women” events, but last year began partnering with the Wheeling Chamber on the ATHENA awards ceremony.

The first to receive the ATHENA award locally — prior to the partnership between the chamber and YWCA Wheeling — was Lori Jones, executive director of YWCA Wheeling. Last year, the recipient was Crystal Bauer, a healthcare professional with Project HOPE in Wheeling.

“In the early 1970s, the board of directors decided to do a Tribute To Women — recognizing many of the same pillars that the ATHENA does,” Jones said. “It only made sense that we reach out to the Chamber, and they graciously accepted that we partner and do one grand award ceremony each year.”

This year’s event will be a combination of the ATHENA and Tribute to Women events. Women will be selected to receive the Tribute to Women award, while one will receive the ATHENA, she said.

Anderson said partnering with the YWCA Wheeling last year “elevated the event to a whole other level.”

Tickets for the luncheon are $45 for chamber members, and $60 for non-members. Tables and sponsorships also are available, she added.