Nominations for the annual Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce/ Berger Family Dealerships "Athena Award" are now being accepted.

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 Berger Family Dealerships. This year, the award will be presented on Thursday, May 18th at the 125th Anniversary, to take place at the Genetti’s Ballroom.

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 31st nomination deadline. Individuals who are nominated will be contacted by the Chamber for additional information necessary for the award judges to consider the nomination. Official nomination forms can be obtained by contacting the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce at 570-455-1509 or emailing Linda Mantush at . Official nomination 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.

This year will mark the thirty first presentation of the award. Previous winners are, 1986: Lillian Paternoster, Case and Keg Beverage, 1987: Lorraine Shema Piehota, Bishop Hafey High School, 1988:Donna Jean Yannuzzi, Job Johnny of Hazleton, 1989: Mary Bollman, former Administrative Assistant for the Chamber of Commerce, 1990; Patricia Werner-Savage, Lutheran Welfare Services of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 1991: Theresa Raffety, Executive Secretary and Office Manager, Yamulla Trucking and Excavating Co., Inc, 1992: Martha Herron, Hazleton Area Manager, Pennsylvania Power and Light Company, 1994:JoAnn Yannuzzi, Hazleton Floral Design, 1996: Ruth Wimsatt, Wellife Health and Fitness, 1997: Molly Blasko, Sport Shack, 1998: Bettie Sitoski, PNC Bank, 1999: Linda Schreiber of the Hazleton YM-YWCA, 2000: Catherine Seamon of United Rehabilitation Services; 2001: Mary Jane Saras, Serento Gardens Alcoholism and Drug Rehabilitation Services; 2002: Atty. Sharon Evans, 2003; Dr. Geraldine Shepperson; 2004: Mary Malone of the Greater Hazleton United Way, 2005; Atty. Elizabeth Maguschak; 2006, Jennifer Sloot, Printmark Industries,2007, Paula Sagan Hahn of Fritzingertown Senior Living Community, 2008; Lonni Polli, Early-Polli Agency; 2009, Terry Moran Bauder, LCCC;2010, Dr. Deb Carr, Hazleton Area School District, 2011, Nancy R. Stasko, 2012, Jeannine Lesante Mazurkiwecz, SSPTV 2013, Dr. Kathleen Benyo, 2014 Donna Palermo, Retired President of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Comme 2015 Elaine Judd, Arc Electirc, and in 2016 Jane Danish, Lehigh Valley Health Network – Hazleton. No awards were presented in 1993 or 1995

Chamber President Mary Malone notes, "Once again, we are extremely pleased to be able to count on the support and sponsorship of Berger Family Dealerships in presenting this most prestigious award. The Berger family has sponsored this award since its inception, and we proud to join with them again this year."

For 2017, the Chamber's Annual Meeting will bring a fresh new format which will include a celebration of 125 years of service to the Greater Hazelton area and an exclusive business and trade exposition.

Pictured on photo: Earl Berger, President, Berger Family Dealerships, sponsor, Mary Malone, President, Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, Jane Danish , last year Athena winner, Jeffrey Berger, Vice President/General Manager, Berger Family Dealerships. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE STANDARD SPEAKER)