Prescott-Area ATHENA Recipient to be Honored 

In her experience growing up, and even during her career, Martha Mayhood Mertz wondered why women that she considered to be skilled and inspirational did not commonly rise to the ranks of leadership. Thus, she figured, if women’s strengths were publicly recognized, they could no longer be denied.

That was nearly 40 years ago. The ATHENA program she launched in 1982 from Lansing, Michigan, has become an international movement. And, this month, a Prescott-area leader will join the ranks of nearly 8,000 ATHENAs, including such notable leaders as: 1960 Olympic medalist Anne Warner, who competed in swimming for the United States in Rome; the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, known for her strong voice in favor of gender equality; and NASA astronaut Christina Koch, who set a record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, with a total of 328 days in space.

Co-hosted by Quad Cities Business News and Prescott Woman Magazine, the Second Annual Prescott-Area ATHENA Awards event is scheduled for 4-6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 19, at Goods for the Garden in the Prescott Gateway Mall.

“We are so proud to bring this empowering program to the Quad Cities,” said Prescott Woman Magazine owner Breeanya Hinkel. “It is so important that we take an afternoon to celebrate the contributions women have made to improve our communities while helping others reach their highest potential as well.”

“The biggest reason it is important for Northland Cares to support female leaders is this: Women have fought long and hard for centuries to improve their status in society, to become educated and to hold positions in the workforce that demonstrate their intelligence, their strength and their abilities,” said Vonda Chisolm, executive director of Northland Cares, the lead sponsor of the Prescott-Area ATHENA Awards. “Women and their accomplishments must be continually celebrated to help us keep up the momentum our ancestors put into motion. We also need to be the role models who leave legacies for those women coming up behind us so that they, too, will leave powerful legacies for future women leaders.”

Finalists for the distinguished award are: Robyn Allen, Amy Bonney, Kiona Bell, Carman Frederic, Alexes Niekamp, Courtney Osterfelt, Tracy Sheffer, Amber Aten, Tamara Player and Lynell Cavner.

“We appreciate all those who took the time to submit thoughtful nominations and the sponsors who are making it possible to shine the spotlight on the outstanding leaders who are making remarkable achievements right here,” said QCBN owner Troy Bix. “The event will be one of celebration and inspiration.”

Two Northern Arizona entrepreneurs, authors and motivational speakers will team up to present “Inventing Your Extraordinary.” Lori Anna Harrison, author of “One Degree of Separation,” and Bonnie Stevens, author of “Life Lessons from a Zonie Girl: How to Stay Sunny, Grounded and Resilient,” will share their research, experience and insights about the character qualities and habits that lead to a life of excellence.

“We are the only ones who can grant our own wishes. Freedom begins in our mind,” said Harrison. “When we give ourselves permission to dream and then have the courage to take the steps to make it happen, we have succeeded.”

“There’s no replacement for the calm satisfaction that fills you to your core as the result of doing your best and actually succeeding in a challenging, shifting situation,” added Stevens. “I cannot stress enough the power of staying in the game.”

“Today, in more ways and places than at any other time in human history, women are leaders,” stated Mertz, who now lives in Sedona. “But what’s important isn’t just that women lead. What’s important is how women lead – reaching out to mentor, giving back to their communities, collaborating with others, staying true to themselves.”

Other businesses supporting the Prescott-Area ATHENA program are Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center, Findlay Prescott, Little Dealer Little Prices, Northern AZ Social, Pinnacle Bank, SCORE and Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“I am thrilled that Northland Cares can be a part of honoring women leaders, mentors and community supporters through the ATHENA Awards,” said Chisolm. “It is so wonderful that this program was started for our Quad Cities to honor women who might otherwise go unnoticed, which would mean their efforts as leaders would go unnoticed.”

Tickets are $60 per seat or $400 for a table of eight. For more information, visit PrescottAthena.com. FBN