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NCNWR 16th Annual Conference 
SEPTEMBER 21-24, 2010
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News

Ursuline Sisters win coveted Athena Award for enriching women

April 28, 2009
Region 6

The Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph were honored March 12 with the coveted Athena Award in Owensboro, Ky., an honor that recognizes people who assist women in attaining their full potential.
Before a full house at Owensboro's RiverPark Center, the Ursuline Sisters became the first group to win the award in the 11 years it's been bestowed in Owensboro. The award began in Lansing, Mich., in 1980, with the three criteria for recipients being, "They must have demonstrated excellence in their business or profession, have devoted time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and most especially, Athena recipients have generously assisted women in attaining their fullest potential."

The Athena Foundation, now known as Athena International, has expanded across the U.S. and into Canada, the United Kingdom, Bermuda, and India.

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and Girls Incorporated sponsor the local Athena award. Susanne Harris, a member of the Girls Incorporated board, nominated the Ursuline Sisters after watching a DVD on the sisters’ ministries.

Sue Napper, chairwoman of the local Athena Award Committee, said she was first unsure about the sisters' chances when they were nominated, but after learning more about the Ursuline mission, ministries, and their commitment to "Freeing and nurturing women and children," she thought the sisters were a perfect fit for the honor. A selection committee makes the final decision and presents the winner to the award committee.

The back of the award quotes Plato, "What is honored in a country will be cultivated there."

Kirk Kirkpatrick, the master of ceremonies for the event, said the Ursuline Sisters have devoted their lives to helping others "with an unheralded passion and dedication. Inspired by the words of 'Act, Move, Believe, Strive, and Hope,' each day they have devoted themselves to the mission of freeing and nurturing women. They have sought to bring about change in our society through social justice, education and church ministry. Approachable and energetic, they seek to reach out to the voiceless; to enhance the world through peace and harmony; and address the needs of the whole person--body, mind and spirit. They have truly changed lives and opened doors."

Attendees at the luncheon learned of the sisters' crucial role in education, including the creation of Brescia University, and of their efforts in fighting for human dignity rights and an end to government-sponsored torture.

"Their focus on the needs of women is demonstrated in the special retreats and programs they offer and designed especially for women," Kirkpatrick said. "Their collaborative effort with a Chicago psychiatrist established the Contemporary Woman Program at Brescia, a program that was one of the very first in the country to recognize and address the special needs of women.

"They have worked with the poor and homeless, giving them shelter, nourishment and the hope of tomorrow," Kirkpatrick said. "Our honoree has reached out to Hispanic women in the Owensboro area to help them to become self-sufficient. Their work has also taken them to South America where they have worked with hundreds of women teaching them marketable skills and helping them find outlets for their craft projects... They have served as mentors for women in administration, business, science, the fine arts, education and other fields. Hand in hand together they have unselfishly paved the way for so many."

Sister Michele Morek, congregational leader, accepted the award on behalf of current sisters, and all those who've come before since Saint Angela Merici found the Company of Saint Ursula in 1535.
Other sisters present at the luncheon included Sisters Ann McGrew, Cheryl Clemons, Joseph Angela Boone, Rose Marita O'Bryan, Annalita Lancaster, Barbara Jean Head, Pam Mueller, Sharon Sullivan, Rose Jean Powers, Mary Diane Taylor, and Helena Fischer.