Nominees sought for Athena Award
YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber is accepting nominations for the 2020 ATHENA Award program, which recognizes women who strive toward the highest levels of professional and civic achievement.
The event — co-sponsored for the 26th time this year by The Vindicator — has honored nearly 1,000 women in the last 27 years and is recognized as one of the largest in the U.S.
Nominations are due to the chamber by March 2. Criteria and forms are available on the chamber’s website, www.region alchamber.com, by clicking on Initiatives / Programs and then scrolling to the Athena Award program.
A four-person committee will review the nominations and determine the 2020 Athena Award recipient, who will be announced May 14 at Waypoint 4180 in Canfield.
The recipient is based on a calculation of 60 percent professional achievement, 20 percent community involvement and 20 percent mentorship of other women.
Some recent past winners include Dr. Tammy King, associate dean of the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services at Youngstown State University; Dr. Elisabeth Young, dean of the college of medicine and vice president of health affairs, at Northeast Ohio Medical University; Patricia Sweeney, Mahoning County health commissioner; Kathy Cook, president of St. Joseph Warren Hospital; and Eugenia Aubel, president St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital.
“I’m always in awe when I read through those nominations because there are a lot of women out there doing fantastic things in the community,” said Kim Calvert, the chamber’s vice president of marketing and member services.
The keynote speaker for this year is Dr. Amy Acton, director of health for the Ohio Department of Health.
Acton, a Youngstown native who once lived in a tent in winter when her family was homeless, is a licensed physician in preventative medicine with a master’s degree in public health from Northeastern Ohio University.
She has more than 30 years of experience in medical practice, government and community service, healthcare policy and advocacy, academic and nonprofit administration, consulting, teaching and data analysis.
The event will include an invitation only reception for nominees, nominators and sponsors before doors open to the public at 5:30 p.m. Dinner, recognition of all nominees and naming the recipient begins at 6:15 p.m.
Tickets cost $75 per person. Walk-in tickets will not be sold at the door.
rselak@tribtoday.com