The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce has announced that applications for the ATHENA Award are now available.

Nominations are now being accepted for the ATHENA Award, which will be presented at the Chamber’s International Women’s Day Celebration, to be held on Friday, March 6, to an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in her/his business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way and has assisted women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills. 

The ATHENA Award was first presented in 1982 in Lansing, Michigan and has grown to include presentations to more than 5,000 individuals in hundreds of cities in the United States as well as in Canada, China, Russia and the United Kingdom. 

The award takes the form of a hand-cast bronze sculpture symbolizing the strength, courage and wisdom of the recipient.

The Chamber believes in the values underlying ATHENA International’s philosophy of incorporating the talent and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, our communities and our government. The spirit of the ATHENA Award® Program is captured in a quotation from Plato, “What is honored in a country will be cultivated there.” By honoring exceptional leaders, others will be encouraged to excel.

The ATHENA Award® Program is nationally underwritten by General Motors and National City Bank. Local sponsorship is provided by Bank of America and Michael A. Barbetti, CPA. 

Nominations will be accepted until Friday, Jan. 31, and may be submitted online via www.scrantonchamber.com.