For the past 13 years, ATHENA Oakville has been inspiring women to reach their full potential. ATHENA has celebrated the potential of women as valued leaders of the community, recognizing those who support them, and honouring those who strive toward the highest level of professional accomplishments. Today in Oakville, many organizations embrace these principles and ideals and have created awards, programs and services that empower and recognize women’s leadership.  Reflecting on this and realizing that we appear to be duplicating what many other organizations are already doing we have come to a decision about ATHENA’s future.

Therefore, in 2010, we will celebrate our final nominees for the award and select the recipient for this year’s honour. At that celebration we will showcase the many organizations and awards in Oakville who embody the ATHENA principles by supporting women leaders in our community. We will also be announcing the ATHENA Legacy Fund created by generous gifts from our sponsors and donors over the past 13 years. The ATHENA Legacy Fund will continue to support the existing ATHENA scholarship programs for both Sheridan College and the Learning Centre’s Women in Skilled Trades Program. In addition, we will be announcing a new annual bursary for young women with the potential to be community and professional leaders. The ATHENA Legacy Fund will provide support to emerging leaders year after year.

On November 3, 2010, we will celebrate the success of ATHENA Oakville’s past and the future of women’s leadership in Oakville.  We would like to invite you to join us in this, our final gala celebration.  We encourage you, your organization or business to participate in this celebration by joining us for this special evening.  The event will be held at the Oakville Conference Centre on Wyecroft Road with displays beginning at 5:00 p.m. with the evening program starting at 7:00 p.m.   Tickets can be purchased from the Oakville Chamber of Commerce by visiting their website www.oakvillechamber.com.