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The Athena Business
Women’s Awards honor those women in the Quad City area business
community
who are leaders
in their profession, serve as role models to other women, display
creativity and innovation,
contribute to the
growth of her profession, and contribute time and energy to community
betterment.
The
Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce and The Women’s Connection are
the sponsors of the annual Athena Business Women’s Awards presented by
Missman-Stanely & Associates, P.C.
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2006 Athena Business Women's Award
Recipients
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Marie Ziegler
Vice
President, Investor Relations,
Deere & Company
Cathie Whiteside
Station
Manager, KWQC-TV6
Dr. Barbara Suelter
Superintendent,
United Township High School District #30
Denise Spindel
Owner/Business
Manager,
Quint Co., Inc.
Pamela Fisher
Owner, Two
Rivers Massage
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2007
Athena Business Women's Award Recipients
 
Michelle
Gau
Roxanne Kramer
Mary
Lagerblade
Diane Nelson
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Michelle
Gau
Assistant
Principal
Alleman Catholic High School
Roxanne Kramer
Business
Owner
Always A Woman
Mary Lagerblade
Consultant
and Former Relocation Director
Mel Foster Co.
Diane Nelson
CEO
Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois
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| 2008
Athena Business Women's Award Recipients
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Mary
Junck
President/CEO
Lee Enterprises
Jan Masamoto
President
JTM Concepts
Heidi Schultz
Partner
Management Resource Group
Christy Kunz
Vice
President of the
Midwestern Region
J.A. Worldwide
Linda Newborn
Vice
President and Chief Compliance Officer
Deere & Company
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2009
Athena Business Women's Award Recipients
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Dr.
Lisa Arbisser
Eye
Surgeons Associates, P.C.
Dr. Kim Armstrong
Black Hawk
College
Cheri Bustos
Iowa Health
System
Hon. Linda Neuman
Retired
Member, Iowa Supreme Court
Dana Wilkinson
Paragon
Commercial Interiors, Inc.
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2010
Athena Business Women's Award Recipients
Stephanie Acri Linda Duffy
Jennifer Rowe Cynthia
Tidwell
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Stephanie Acri
Evans Premium Manufacturing
Linda Duffy
Assumption High School
Jennifer Rowe
Serv-A-Lite Products, Inc.
Cynthia Tidwell
Royal Neighbors of America
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I was honored to be
asked to provide the Opening and Closing Remarks for the 2007 Athena
Awards Ceremony. Here is my speech!
Introductory Remarks
As one of the inaugural Athena honorees from
2006, I’d like to welcome the newest members to this elite Athena Club
– four outstanding Quad City women who exemplify the courage, strength,
determination and guts it takes to be a successful business
woman. On behalf of all women here today, I thank you for raising
the bar and setting a standard of leadership, commitment and success to
which we can all strive.
This year’s honorees run the gamut in terms of professions represented
– Michelle Gau, an educator and high school administrator.
Roxanne Kramer, a breast cancer advocate and entrepreneur. Mary
Lagerblade, a real estate professional and community leader.
Diane Nelson, a non-profit CEO and champion for youth. Each has
her own unique personality, talents and abilities. But as I
reviewed the qualifications of this year’s honorees, one quality stood
out as a common denominator – PASSION.
These women have a passion for what they do. They have a passion
for living life. It was Helen Keller who said, “One can never
consent to creep, when one has an impulse to soar.” This year’s
honorees are infused with that passion to soar. Passion is one of
my favorite words, because it describes how I try to live my
life. My background also is unique -- I spent more than 20
years in the bush in Alaska and traveling the world before returning to
the Quad Cities with no college degree, no previous experience and
seemingly no goals. And yet, here I am today, the successful
owner of two businesses – Two Rivers Massage and del Sole Foot
Spa. As a 2006 Athena honoree, I’m in the company of these
incredible women because we share a passion for the work we do.
It stirs up excitement and motivates us to continue moving
forward. It is the main ingredient for success in business and
happiness in life.
My mom (who’s here today), tells me all the time that I’m “one of a
kind” with the way I run my business and make things happen. But
I tell her everyone is a success waiting to happen. You just need to
discover what it is that you want, and climb out on a limb and go for
it! For myself, I think it’s been helpful I have more guts than
brains, and that I’m always willing to take a chance.
I also believe there are no failures, only lessons. By learning
from our lessons, we can move forward, grow and change, and make a
difference in our lives and the lives of others. Obviously, the
2007 Athena honorees embrace this same philosophy. They are
making a difference and setting an example for other women. And
by doing this, they allow us to not only follow in their footsteps, but
to walk right beside them in our own purpose and dreams!
I congratulate this year’s honorees. And I encourage everyone in
the audience today to use their success to light your own path.
Closing Remarks
So, did you feel it – the passion these women have in their
lives? Are you challenged to discover your own passion?
I thank you for coming out today to celebrate these four special
women. And I’d like to leave you with a little food for thought –
a quote from Charles Lindbergh. He said, “It is the greatest shot
of adrenaline to be doing what you’ve always wanted to do so
badly. You almost feel like you could fly without the plane.”
I challenge you to find your passion and make a difference in the lives
of others. Have a great day!
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