Women's Business Council
Marion, Ohio  43302

Past Recipients

Throughout her career, Vicky has modeled leadership development and advancement of women in business. Vicky earned her associates degree from Marion Tech, and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Ashland and a Master's degree from BGSU. Vicky has taught business and office information courses at MTC for over 20 years.  Vicky is a respected leader at MTC. She leads by example, but also constantly challenges the department faculty to find ways to serve the Marion community as a part of the curriculum. In the past few years, faculty and students were involved in real-world projects with Goodwill, the Palace, and the Downtown Arts Festival. Vicky is a great model of the attributes set forth in the Athena award criteria. She put herself through school (all the way through a MA degree). She has juggled family, jobs, and education to obtain a Masters degree and is now planning on continuing her education, working toward a PhD and is very much aware of the struggles faced by women who pursue a career. She continues to push the Business Department forward at MTC, and in doing so she creates opportunities for women who are jugging family and careers.

The 2006 ATHENA recipient was Sheryl Rhoades. Sheryl serves as Executive Director, Big Brother Big Sisters of Marion County, Vice President of Marion Noon Kiwanis, Member of WBC, Ohio Youth Services Advisory Board, Tri-Rivers Culinary Arts Advisory Board, United Way volunteer, W.I.N.S. and W.I.N.S. Plus Volunteer, Interview Coach Miss Ohio Scholarship Contestants, 4-H Project Judge and Safety Speaking Contest Judge. Sheryl has initiated after-school and summer programs and applied for grants to increase funding for these and similar programs. Her community involvement includes Past Division Leader, Team Captain and Speaker's Bureau for United Way, 10 years on the D.A.R.E. Board, 17 years on the Elgin School Board, 7 years on the Tri-Rivers Board, YMCA Board, 4-H Advisor and Past Advisor for Elgin Drill Team, Cancer Stereothon, Ohio School Board Association, and Ohio Human Services Personnel Association.

Sandra has chosen leadership positions where she is actively engaged with women. She has served on the boards of the following: Turning Point, Junior Achievement, Boys and Girls Club, Mid Ohio National Association of Credit Managers, NACM Chairperson-Columbus, IMA Marion Chapter President (institute of Management Accountants), Director of Junior Achievment, United Way Audit Committee, Young Women's Business Academy, Salvation Army, Marion Industrial Club, Women's Business Council and Community Employment Service Business Advisory Committee and Y.M.C.A.
She is a spokesperson for young women to pursue career choices in accounting and credit analysis. She has also earned her master gardening certification thru OSU Extension Office. Sandra has been married for 44 years and raised three children, two who are graduates of Ohio State. She is a life long resident of Marion and a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church.

Elaine Merchant was the 2004 recipient of the Athena Award. Elaine is the embodiment of energy in promoting the continued growth of the Marion Palace Theatre. Her commitment to helping women in their business growth is evident with her role as the Director of the Palace Theatre. As a woman who has spent her whole life in Marion and as a leader of many social service agencies prior to becoming Director of the Palace Theatre, she is always serving as a role model for women. Elaine is a founding member of the Women's Business Council.

Diane Glassmeyer was the 2003 recipient of the Athena Award. Diane is the only female vice president of Clear Channel Corporation's worldwide top management positions. She is a role model within her own company in Marion. She has devoted a tremendous amount of time and effort to community causes and serves on boards of directors of not for profit organizations. She has always encouraged women to reach for new levels in her corporate role, as well as being a mentor to women in the community. She was one of the presenters, as well as, a sponsor of the Business Boot Camp for Women, a recent project of the Women's Business Council. The camp was a half day of basic training for women seeking information to be entrepreneurs and start their own businesses

2002:
Anne Lowe
LPL Financial Services

Ann Lowe was the 2002 recipient of the Athena Award. Ann was a catalyst to grow the Women's Business Council from a small of group of women with the common goal of helping women in their professional development to an organization of structure and resolve. The Women's Business Council under her leadership grew beyond its earliest expectations to encompass the needs of many in women corporate and entrepreneurial businesses. At the same time, she was moving from a corporate position to co-owning her own financial services firm. She is involved on boards of community organizations and continues to promote opportunities for women to start their own businesses.

Karen Ream was the 2001 recipient of the Athena Award. Karen is active in community development projects. Through her tireless efforts, she created an entrepreneurial camp for high school girls on the campus of The Ohio State University-Marion. The Young Women's Business Academy opened the eyes of many young women interested in exploring the possibilities of owning and operating a business of their own. Karen is an inspiration to many of her peers with her years of service on community boards and service organizations.

Debra Rapert was the 2000 recipient of the ATHENA award.  Deb represents devotion to community service and mentoring of women.  Through her career in human resources, she has encouraged women to succeed in corporate life as well as in community service.  Deb Rapert is a founding member of the Women's Business Council and has given countless hours of service to the organization as it began from a small group to the expanded association of today.  Through the many social service organizations in which she takes active leadership roles, she symbolizes the ability of women to help each other and expand their opportunities.

Lois Fisher was the first Marion, Ohio recipient of the Athena Award. In 1998, the Women's Business Council adopted the Athena Award as a community award for a woman of distinction and leadership. Lois Fisher, as one of the founding members of the Women's Business Council and an activist for women in Marion, exemplified the philosophy of the Athena Award. She has given many women direction and inspiration to encourage their entrepreneurial spirit. In addition, Lois is committed through her own business to the development of downtown business and activities for Marion, Ohio.