The month of March is nationally recognized as Women’s history month and the Greater Hazleton Chamber is now accpeting nominations for the annual "Athena" award as part of our celebration. Nomination forms and notice have been sent to over 1,000 Chamber member contacts, and are also available at the Chamber office and online at www.hazletonchamber.org.

The award is presented annually to the "Businesswoman of the Year" in the Greater Hazleton area. The presentation, which features a handsome bronze and crystal sculpture, is presented as part of the Chamber’s Annual Meeting and is sponsored by Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hazleton, now a part of Jefferson Health. The Chamber "Athena" award will be given to the businesswoman who has demonstrated the "highest level of professional accomplishment" and is based primarily on professional competency, achievement and dedication. According to Chamber officials, the "Athena" award is not intended to be a civic achievement award, but a meaningful recognition of women as an integral part of the Hazleton area workplace.

Any woman employed by a Chamber member firm may be nominated. Nominations can be made by employers, employees or friends, and should be forwarded to the Chamber of Commerce prior to the March 21^st deadline. Individuals who are nominated will be contacted by the Chamber for additional information necessary for the Athena judges who consider all the applications. Official nomination forms can be obtained by contacting the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce at 455-1509 or emailing Mary Malone at . Official forms are not necessary, however, and individuals desiring to submit the name of someone for consideration can do so by forwarding the name, place of employment, position, and brief comments about the individual to the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce. The name and a contact phone number for the individual making the recommendation must accompany the nomination.

Chamber President Mary Malone notes, "We are extremely pleased to be able to count on the support and sponsorship of Lehigh Valley Hospital in presenting this internationally-recognized award. The hospital has sponsored this award for the last five years, and we are proud to join with them again this year."

Pictured on photo: Lisa Marie Halecky, LVH–Hazleton Manager of Community, Media Engagement, Vital Choice, and BOA Liason, representing the 2025 award sponsor. Lisa Marie was also recognized as the 36th recipient of the Athena award at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting in 2024.