2012
Teresa Ballinger, Municipal Court Judge
Nominated by Jeannie Brewer & Teresa Haycox
Judge Ballinger was a teacher in the Pleasant School District and was highly involved with implementing their Peer Mediation Program/Conflict Resolution. If having a teaching degree wasn't enough, Judge continued her education and career path by becoming a certified mediator, then an attorney and elected as Judge for the Marion Municipal Court. Judge Ballinger expanded services in the court to address issues she saw come before the bench over and over. She initiated the DUS Docket to hold people accountable for Driving Under Suspension and to give them guidance and objectives to get themselves into compliance with the driver's license requirements. Judge Ballinger understands the hugh transition for young people between being a teenager and being 18 and the difference between the reality of Juvenile Court and Municipal (adult) Court. The Judge started an Underage Consumption Docket. The goal is for young people to gain an understanding of their behavior while under the influence and how this can lead to further inappropriate and detrimental consequences later in life. She implemented the “Stop Lifting Program”, “ Drug Court ”, and “Veteran's Court”. Judge Ballinger has had an intricate hand in Marion Matters. Marion Matters is based on a national known and recognized program called “Bridges Out of Poverty”. In 2010, more than 1,000 Marion citizens participated in Bridges training. Judge Ballinger was one among the group that facilitated those trainings and felt that more than presenting a program and information was needed. Action speaks far greater than words, and that is how Marion Matters was born. Judge Ballinger is an active member in the Marion County 's Re-entry Coalition and Women's Business Council.
Non-profit donation choice – Marion Matters
2011:
Trella Romine,
Former owner of Hemmerly's Florist, histirian and author.
As a single mother, Trella took on ownership of Hemmerly's with new vision, guts and ….a hint of stubbornness. With her success in business, she was able to hand off a successful business and retire in 1982.
Trella has become a quiet foundation for her favorite causes that dot the Marion County map. The Marion Historical Society, the OSUM Campus Prairie, the Rinker Howser Resource Center at Heritage Hall, MCHS Heritage Preservation Endowment Fund, the Trella Romine Prairie Preserve, Terradise Nature Preserve and the Ohio State University at Marion scholarship established in her name.
Trella has written, edited and guided the reprint of a large number of historical publications. And has counseled a number of authors through the publication and marketing of their books.
She continues to be a business and personal mentor to the current owner of Hemmerly's, as well as the Directors of the Marion County Historical Society and the Marion County Park District.
Trella has been awarded a number of honors, with the most recent being the Edward J. Tiffin Award in 2008 from the Ohio Historical Society.”
Non-Profit Choice: Marion Historical Society
.
2010:
Diane Watson,
Executive Director Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Diane Watson is currently the Director of The Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. She has been able to promote the Marion area to a wide variety of visitors by the quality of her leadership and marketing abilities. By her efforts, the tourism industry has a voice that gives Marion, Ohio a name, an identity and benefits the community with dollars spent to help the Marion economy. Her efforts garnered the Ohio Travel Association’s Ruby Marketing Award for the Marion’s Amazing Treasures summer promotion. She was named Ad Person of the Year in 1993.
Diane has also been a role model and has not only given of herself without hesitation, she has volunteered her services on countless occasions when she knew doing so would involve a great dedication of time and effort. Her community involvement includes: Women’s Business Council, St. Mary Boy Scout Troop 50, St. Mary Church and St. Mary St. Vincent DePaul Campaign co-chair, just to name a few.
2009:
Tarina Rose
American Red Cross
Tarina has worked tirelessly to help the Chapter fulfill its mission of helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies…seeks out ways to serve more people…has given women opportunities to learn new skills… helps people help themselves…and has the imagination to see how you might get there.” Rose’s community service is extensive, and includes Altrusa, Rotary, United Way of Marion County, League of Women Voters, Chamber of Commerce, Marion AIDS Task Force, Shelter Program, Child Care Choices, Marion City Schools, Tri-Rivers, 4-H, and LOVE, Inc., and has earned numerous achievements, awards and recognitions.
|
2008: Kathy Masters has been a loyal and influential business woman at National City Bank for years. Her clients rave about her always outstanding customer service, and her employees strive to be like her. Her leadership is unrivaled, as demonstrated by the recognition she's received. She is driven, intelligent, and successful, and she worked from the bottom up to get where she is today. Kathy influences and helps women everyday. She has patience and she enjoys her role; she can do it with her eyes closed. Almost daily other female managers call Kathy with customer concerns, seeking her advice on how to deal with their managerial concerns. She also has spent the past 30 years of her life volunteering her free time to better this community. Not only does she show other women that they can succeed, but she shows them that professional success and worth is measured by more than a job title. Her leadership is unmatched in this community. |
|
2007: 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. |
|
2006: 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. |
|
2005: 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. |
|
2004: 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. |
|
2003: 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: 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. |
|
2001: 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. |
|
2000: 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. |
|
1999: Lori Litzenberg, Director of Marion County Human Services Department, is not only the leader of a social service agency, but the creative force for helping women gain their independence and self-sufficiency. This year’s Athena Award recipient has tirelessly worked to create programs to help woman find their own potential and lead productive and fulfilling lives. She has exhibited the essential qualities of compassion and inspiration to assist women and families to seek opportunities for a better life. |
|
1998: 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. |
