[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 145 (Monday, September 26, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF ATHENA INTERNATIONAL

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 26, 2016

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 35th 
anniversary of Athena International. Athena International strives to 
create balance in leadership worldwide by seeking to encourage, 
educate, and support our next generation of female leaders. Its roots 
trace back to Michigan where it began as a local program, and it has 
grown into a global movement, serving to inspire female leaders both 
domestically and throughout the globe.
  Founded in 1982 by Martha Mertz, Athena International began as a 
small non-profit organization in Lansing, Michigan. Recognizing a need 
for stronger female leadership in her business community, Mertz 
launched the Athena Award program. This award would go to individuals 
who not only excelled at their professions, but who also gave back to 
their communities and helped motivate others in their communities to 
lead, particularly women.
  Additionally, the organization developed the Athena Leadership Model, 
a program seeking to best prepare women to be successful leaders. This 
model identifies eight distinct attributes for women in leadership: 
Authentic Self, Relationships, Giving Back, Collaboration, Courageous 
Acts, Learning, Fierce Advocacy, Celebration and Joy. These personal 
traits are intuitive for women, and when paired with traditional 
leadership characteristics, prepare them to become leaders.
  Martha Mertz's vision has become a global movement. There have now 
been over 7,000 recipients of the Athena Award, with these awards 
presented in 500 communities throughout 8 countries. The organization 
continues to provide awards to individuals who empower women and best 
position them to become our future leaders, and provides an annual 
leadership forum and luncheon for female leaders to make meaningful 
connections with one another.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to celebrate the 
35th anniversary of the Athena International Organization. Their 
commitment to preparing our future leaders deserves praise, and we wish 
them many more years of success and prosperity.

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