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Recent Successes
Council Receives Inaugural ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award
On Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana received the very first ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award for its unwavering innovative spirit and laser-like focus on girl leadership before an audience of nearly 300 of the city’s most recognized and respected women leaders and their colleagues.
The ATHENA Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession; provide valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community; and actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential. This year ATHENA International introduced the Organizational Leadership Award to honor businesses or organizations that support and develop women leaders.
This honor celebrates the incredible, enduring power of the Girl Scout Movement, and the commitment of Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana’s dedicated board members, volunteers, and professional staff who are together creating a new vision for Girl Scouting locally.
During the 5th Annual Chicago ATHENA Awards Luncheon hosted by ATHENA International at the Renaissance Hotel, the council was honored along with four women who were recognized for their outstanding vision and passion. These exemplary leaders stand out for their tireless commitment to issues that affect women and girls, and they take mentoring other women to new heights.
The following women were recognized: Sherren Leigh, founder of Leigh Communications, Inc. and recipient of the ATHENA Corporate Award; Laura Thrall, CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, Inc., and recipient of the ATHENA Service Award; Wendy Farley of Comcast and recipient of the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award – Corporate; and Jennifer Gibbons, founder of Recovery on Water, Inc., recipient of the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award – Service.
For more information about ATHENA International, visit www.athenainternational.org.
Local Recipients Receive Honors from The Corinne Jeannine Schillings Foundation
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana announces that three young women from the council have received scholarships from the Corinne Jeannine Schillings Foundation to further their undergraduate studies. Since 2005, The Corinne Jeannine Schillings Foundation has supported undergraduate college women in the study of languages and learning of other cultures. The foundation was formed to honor the memory of Corinne Jeannine Schillings by providing a living legacy through education.
Catherine K. of Griffith, IN, who earned two of Girl Scouting’s highest honors, the Silver Award and Gold Award, was awarded a 2009-10 “Scholarship to Study a Foreign Language.” Mary M. of Orland Park, IL, who also earned the Silver Award, was awarded the 2009-10 “Scholarship to Study Abroad.” Whitney S. of Olympia Fields, IL, who also earned the Silver Award and Gold Award, was awarded a 2009-10 “Scholarship to Study a Foreign Language.” Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana proudly recognizes these outstanding young women for their leadership and accomplishments. The selection process was rigorous; there were 151 applicants from 30 states.
Current Girl Scouts from any region who are interested in applying for the scholarship should visit www.cjsfoundation.org. Deadline is December 3, 2009.