About Anchorage ATHENA
The ATHENA International Story
The inspiration for the ATHENA organization originated in Lansing, Michigan in 1980 when Martha Mayhood Mertz, a local real estate entrepreneur and president of an investment organization, was asked to serve on the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
At that time, not only was she the only woman serving on the board but in the 75 year history of presenting community awards, the Lansing Chamber had honored only one woman. Mertz decided to change that.
Through the voice of business, women could participate in guiding and shaping the future. An award was created to recognize excellence and honor achievement, service and assistance to women in business. Thus the ATHENA program was born.
ATHENA is named for the Greek goddess of wisdom. Now the international society bearing her name is located in all 50 states as well as some foreign countries. The organization is administered from its Chicago, Illinois headquarters.
The ATHENA Anchorage Story
Eleanor Andrews - Founder of the Anchorage ATHENA Society
In 1988, the national ATHENA society presented Dr. Joyce Murphy with an ATHENA award. Then in 1995 an ATHENA award was presented to Eleanor Andrews. When Eleanor traveled to the National ATHENA Conference to receive her award, she was inspired to found the Anchorage ATHENA Society.
The Anchorage ATHENA Society now has over 400 members representing a diverse group of professionals.
The Anchorage ATHENA Society is a program of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce that works year round to encourage the potential of all women as valued members and leaders of the business community. Most recently the Anchorage ATHENA Society has reorganized and a number of committees were formed to work on the luncheon, raise money for scholarships as well as explore other activities which will give its members the opportunity to create leadership initiatives, link resources and establish local mentoring and scholarship programs.
