Nashville ATHENA Awards Records, 1991-2008.
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Organized into the following series: I. Administrative Records; II. Ephemera; III. Photographs; IV. Publications; V. Publicity Scrapbooks; and VI. Video Recordings;,arranged chronologically within series.

Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library.

The Nashville Public Library Special Collection Division exhibited material from the collection in the Courtyard Gallery from March to May 2009.

In library use only. Available by appointment.

Scope and content: The collection consists of administrative records, ephemera, photographs, publicity scrapbooks, and video recordings created by and documenting the Nashville ATHENA Awards Program since its inception in 1991. There is particularly strong representation for the years 2003-2005 in the collection. Every year since 1991 is represented at a minimum by a program from the annual awards event. In addition to traditional paper records, the records are in a variety of formats, including data files on compact disc, DVDs, VHS tapes, photographic prints, contact sheets, and posters.

Series I. Administrative Records, 1994-2006 and n.d., ca. 2 cu. ft.: Consists of the Nashville ATHENA Awards administrative records from 1994 to 2006 and no date. Materials include planning documents relating to the annual awards, nominee information and applications, committee records, and sponsor information. Arranged by format and chronologically.

Series II. Ephemera, 1991-2008, ca. 3.5 cu. ft.: Consists of invitations, programs, and posters related to the annual ATHENA Awards program. The primary contents of this series is programs. Two programs from each year are housed in boxes 3 and 4, while extra copies of the programs are housed separately in boxes 5 and 6. It is anticipated that ATHENA Award committee members may have need of these extra programs at some point in the future, so they will be retained and stored with the collection. Five of the seven posters have been mounted on foam core. Arranged by format and chronologically.

Series III. Photographs, 1993-2008, ca. 1.25 cu. ft.: Consists of photographic prints, negatives, and contact sheets depicting Nashville ATHENA Award nominees and recipients as well as events at the annual program. Representation varies from year to year. Photographic prints are housed in binder boxes (boxes 11-16), while contact sheets are housed in box 4. There are also some photographs in digital form on CD-R stored in box 7. Arranged by format and chronologically.

Series IV. Publications, 1993, 1 folder: Consists of Tennessee Women: A Guide for Teachers, published by the Nashville ATHENA Award. Arranged chronologically.

Series V. Publicity Scrapbooks, 1993-2005, ca. .5 cu. ft.: Consists of binders of newspaper clippings and press releases related to the Nashville ATHENA Awards. Arranged chronologically.

Series VI. Video Recordings, 1994-2006, ca. .75 cu. ft.: Consists primarily of video recordings of the Nashville ATHENA Awards annual program. Also included are videos of nominee presentations as well as 15-year retrospective video created in 2005. Videos exist in both DVD and VHS formats. Years represented by videos include 1994; 1995; 1996; 1997; 1998; 1999; 2000; 2002; 2004; and 2005. Arranged by format and chronologically.

Cite as: Nashville ATHENA Awards Records, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library

Some items may be protected by Copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code).

CABLE via Pat Pierce,,Gift;,2008-2009.,Acc. 2009.018.

A related collection in the Special Collections Division is the Lawyers Association for Women Records. LAW, like ATHENA, is a member group of the CABLE network, "Tennessee's largest and most established network of professionals helping women reach their full potential with over 500 members and a 30-year history."

The mission of the ATHENA Award is: "Supporting, developing and honoring women leaders. Inspiring women to achieve their full potential. Creating balance in leadership worldwide." The ATHENA Award is presented annually by chambers of commerce, women's organizations and universities. The award is established through local host organizations in partnership with ATHENA International's national underwriters, local businesses and individual sponsors. Nominations are solicited and an ATHENA sculpture is awarded to an individual in the community who meets specific criteria: demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession; provides valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community; and actively assists women in realizing their full leadership potential Since the program's inception in 1982 more than 5000 awards have been presented in over 500 communities in the United States, Canada, China, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and most recently the United Kingdom. By honoring exceptional leaders, the ATHENA Award Program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives. The ATHENA Sculpture, created by sculptor Linda Ackley, was inspired by the dynamic goddess of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment--qualities needed for leadership. The marble base represents the recipient's solid foundation. The unique textures of the bronze differ on each sculpture, just as the life experiences of the recipients differ. The cut crystal symbolizes the many facets of human character and the light emanating from the recipient. Viewed from various angles, the outstretched arms of this form can be seen to express the celebration of achievement and reaching out to others. Each unique sculpture is numbered as one of a select edition. Designed to recognize, encourage and celebrate the achievements of women in business and their professions, the Nashville ATHENA Award honors those women who have attained and personify the highest level of excellence. Each year, more than 25 women from across Middle Tennessee are nominated for their embodiment of the ATHENA spirit. Each exemplifies leadership, superior performance, commitment to community, and unselfish assistance to women and women's issues. Over thirty women's organizations from throughout the community work together organizing the ATHENA Award, an annual Nashville event since 1991. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of a 300-word essay and superior academic performance. The traditional scholarship for outstanding high school female seniors was established in 1993. In 2001 the non-traditional scholarship was established to support non-traditional female students who wish to continue their education. In 2007, a $3,000 science focused non-traditional scholarship was added to the program. Traditionally held at Nashville's Parthenon, the annual awards program was held for the first time in 2008 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The organization will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2010.

In English

Finding aid available in repository;,folder level control.,https://assets.library.nashville.org/documents/finding-aids/Special_Collections_Division_Finding_Aid_ATHENAAwardsFA.pdf.

The records were created and used by various Nashville ATHENA Award officers, passed along from chairwoman to chairwoman, and collected by Pat Pierce.

Process,,2008-2009;,Aimee James.