The Greater Hazleton Chamber is seeking nominations for the 2024 Athena International Award. You can nominate a female that currently works at a business that is a member of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce. The prestigious award program is happening for the 36th time in our area, thanks to the sponsorship of Lehigh Valley Hospital. Tammy Torres, Lehigh Valley President, noted, “ We are proud to celebrate our fourth year of our partnership with the Hazleton Chamber to continue the recognition of female leaders making a difference in their professions and the Greater Hazleton area.” Applications need to be into the Chamber office by 5 p.m. on April 26.

The Athena Award is presented each year to a Hazleton Area businesswoman for "outstanding professional achievement. The internationally-recognized award from the ATHENA FOUNDATION is also invested in the work of mentoring the next generation of leaders. A committee of Chamber volunteers review the applications and choose the winner based on three central criteria: business proficiency, community service and mentorship. The beautiful statue will be presented at the 132^nd Annual Meeting and Business Expo of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, May 16^th at Capriotti's starting at 5 p.m.

The presentation of the award began in 1988 and includes a long list of distinguished women who have won the Athena Award in its thirty-four-year history. Past winners include: Lillian Paternoster (1986); Lorraine Piehota (1987); Donna Jean Yannuzzi (1988); Mary Bollman (1989); Patricia Werner-Savage (1990); Theresa Raffety (1991); Martha Herron (1992); Jo-Ann Yannuzzi (1994); Ruth Wimsat (1996); Molly Blasko (1997); Bettie Sitoski (1998); Linda Schreiber (1999); Cathy Gallagher (2000); Mary Jane Saras (2001); Attorney Sharon Evans (2002); Dr. Geraldine Shepperson (2003); Mary R. Malone (2004); Attorney Elizabeth Maguschak (2005); Jennifer Sloot (2006); Paula Sagan Hahn (2007); Lonnie Polli (2008); Terry Moran Bauder (2009); Dr. Deb Carr (2010); Nancy Stasko (2011); Jeannine Lesante Mazurkiwecz (2012); Kathleen Benyo (2013); Donna Palermo (2014); Elaine Judd (2015); Jane Danish (2016); Carla M. Thaller (2017); Krista L. Schneider (2018); Donna M. Barna (2019); Representative Tarah Toohil (2020); Kelly King (2021); Ms. Fabrege (2022); and Liz Tolan (2023). There were no recipients chosen in 1993 and 1995.

If you would like to nominate someone, you can visit the chamber web site to get the application form, email Mary Malone, Chamber President, at , or call the Chamber office at 570-455-1509.

Pictured in the photo is Tammy Torres, President of Lehigh Valley Hospital, the 2024 Athena Award sponsor.