Nominations are Open for 2027 ATHENA Award of Henderson County
The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for the 2027 ATHENA Award of Henderson County, presented by UNC Health Pardee. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, January 15th, 2027.
The 2027 ATHENA Award celebration marks a significant milestone as Henderson County honors 20 years of recognizing leaders who inspire, mentor, and create opportunities for others. The anniversary theme, "Past, Present, and Future," will celebrate the women who built this legacy, the leaders shaping our community today, and the next generation of changemakers.
The ATHENA Award was inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology known for strength, courage, wisdom, and enlightenment. The award is presented to a woman or man who is honored for professional excellence, community service, and for actively assisting women in attaining professional excellence and leadership skills. Established in 1982 by Martha Mertz, a business owner in Lansing, Michigan, Mrs. Mertz was then the only woman serving on the Chamber of Commerce Board. Mrs. Mertz was convinced that if women’s contributions and leadership were recognized and encouraged, they could no longer be overlooked, and women would become leaders in their communities. What Mertz conceived over 40 years ago is now a global movement. Since the program’s inception more than 7,000 awards have been presented in 500 communities and 8 countries.
The ATHENA award was originally sponsored and brought to Henderson County by Vanessa Mintz. Vanessa was a long-time local businesswoman, active Chamber volunteer and community advocate. After Vanessa’s untimely death in 2011, the award continues to be presented in her memory. The ATHENA Award honors individuals who strive toward the highest levels of personal and professional accomplishments, who excel in their chosen field, devote time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and forge paths of leadership for other women to follow. The award is co-sponsored by the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce.
"Every year, the strongest nominations come from people who took the time to really tell her story," said Andrea Little Gray, Chair of the EmpowerHer Committee. "A great nomination gathers the voices of the people she has mentored, served and inspired. That takes time, so if a woman came to mind as you read this, we encourage you to start today."
The nominees will be honored at a reception in early Spring. Then the recipient of the 20th Annual ATHENA Award, presented in memory of Vanessa Y. Mintz will be announced at the Business and Professional Women’s Luncheon on Tuesday, April 22nd at Blue Ridge Community College, sponsored by Hunter Automotive and Stuller Power Solutions.
ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients hail from all professional sectors. The award’s rich history, international scope, and emphasis on mentorship make this award unique and amongst the most prestigious leadership awards one can receive. Past Henderson County ATHENA Recipients include:
Lynette Oliver, Back on Track Ministries (2026)
Rebecca McCall, Henderson County (2025)
Anna Conner, Relocate828 (2024)
Julie Huneycutt, Hope Coalition (2023)
Adriana Chavela, Hola Carolina (2022)
Kathy Streeter Morgan, Henderson County Emergency Management (2021)
Barbara Volk, City of Hendersonville (2020)
Barb Morgan, Project Dignity of WNC (2019)
Lisa ‘Lee’ Henderson Hill, Community Foundation of Henderson County (2018)
Roxanna Pepper, Children & Family Resource Center (2017)
Judy Stroud, State Farm Insurance (2016)
Judith Long, Free Clinics (2015)
Caroline Long, St. Gerard House (2014)
Annie Fritschner, First United Methodist Church (2013)
Myra Grant, Pardee Hospital Foundation (2012)
Joyce Mason, Four Seasons Compassion for Life (2011)
Pat Shepherd, Pat's School of Dance (2010)
Ragan Ward, Carolina Alliance Bank (2009)
Robin Reed, Bares It All (2008)
ATHENA Leadership Award recipients receive a hand-cast bronze and crystal sculpture symbolizing the strength, courage, and wisdom of ATHENA recipients. ATHENA International is nationally underwritten by KPMG.
The Business and Professional Women’s Luncheon is hosted as part of the Henderson County Chamber’s Small Business Week celebration to honor the work that women are doing in area businesses and the community.
For more information on the ATHENA Award and related programs, please call The Chamber at 828-692-1413.
Nominations are judged and a recipient selected by a panel of professionals out of the Henderson County area, based on the criteria set forth by ATHENA International. Nominators should plan to tell their nominee’s story through rich narrative and details, as judges will have no knowledge of even well-known community members. The nomination forms can be found on the Chamber website at www.hendersoncountychamber.org.