WiTT News

WiTT applauds Vanessa Hickman, CIO of the MNAA, as candidate for the prestigious 2007 ATHENA Award.

By Joy Magrum

“Beware the Ides of March"! They are fast approaching. But fearless, dedicated, hard working, outstanding women have no fear. The Ides of March will pass, because a celebration is just around the corner! The ATHENA Awards is an international celebration of women business leaders in cities worldwide, and right here in our hometown of Nashville! Women in Technology of Tennessee (WiTT) has nominated our member who beholds all the qualities fitting to be honored and celebrated March 29th at the 2007 ATHENA Awards. She is successful in supporting and developing our future generations as well as her own personal leadership development. She is an inspiration to women in technology because of her success. She is at the top of her game and at the same time, maintaining balance in her work and life. The weather is cold outside, and although gloves are imperative on days like these, there are many highly successful women around Nashville who have broken their fiercely won nail-biting habits as they prepare for the 2007 ATHENA Award Program.

For those of you who are not familiar with this campaign, the ATHENA Award is an international program honoring women business leaders in cities worldwide. Their mission is simple: Supporting, developing and honoring women leaders. Inspiring women to achieve their full potential. Creating balance in leadership worldwide.

The Nashville ATHENA Award program is widely recognized as one of the most unique and successful ATHENA International Events anywhere in the world. It is considered Nashville's highest award of recognition for the achievements of women for their professional and civic achievements. Candidates are nominated from over 30 local women’s organizations to recognize, encourage and celebrate the achievements and unselfish commitments of women to business, to family and to community. Many serve as mentors for future leaders in our community.

Past award winners in Nashville include: , Dr. Tommie Morton-Young, Yvonne Wood, Mary Frances Lyle, Patricia Pierce, Deputy Chief Deborah Faulkner, Ed.D, Ronnie Steinberg, Ph.D, Deborah C. German, M.D., Chancellor Carol L. McCoy , Betty Chiles Nixon, Sheriff Gayle Ray , Sarah Ham-ilton Sell, M.D., LindaB. Rudolph, Ph.D., Inez Crutchfield, Mary Anne Jackson, Margaret L. Behm, Judge Martha Craig Daughtrey.

WiTT is very proud to applaud Vanessa Hickman, CIO of the MNAA, as our candidate for the prestigious 2007 ATHENA Award. Vanessa has been a member of WiTT since 2004. Vanessa truly embodies the WiTT Mission to empower women in technology through education, outreach, mentoring, and networking.

March is Women’s History Month and the 2007 ATHENA Award Recipient will be announced Thursday, March 29, 2007. Nashville is unique in the fact that this award is presented at the foot of our city’s own Athena statue at the Parthenon in Centennial Park. No other city in the world that pre-sents an ATHENA Award can state that fact. The reception begins at 6:00 PM in the Parthenon followed by the award program at 7:00 PM.