The Brown Estate was the site of the 2017 Athena Award presentation Tuesday morning. The award, sponsored by First Financial Bank, honors local women for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.
This year’s award was a little different as the winner was a surprise announcement. Loretta Hughes of Jerry Hughes Realty sat in the audience as daughter-in-law Debbie read her bio. It wasn’t until about halfway through the presentation that Loretta realized that she was the recipient. “It sounded like the bio of several women I know,” she told KOGT in an interview after receiving her award from FFB CEO Stephen Lee.
It was the 24th year of the award. The previous winners are listed below.
2017-Loretta Hughes
2016- Elaine Meyers
2015- Judge Courtney Arkeen
2014- no award given
2013- Beverly Perry
2012- Mary Behnke
2011- Nancy Vincent
2010- Cecil Broom
2009- Theresa Beauchamp & Ruby Wimberly
2008- Katherine Frey
2007- Beth Rach
2006- Betty Harmon
2005- Debbie Hughes
2004- Pauline Hargrove
2003- Vivian Kelly
2002- Mary McKenna
2001- Eula Hoffpauir
2000- Cecily Varner
1999- Jane Whitfield
1998- Alexine Adams
1997- Louise Maberry
1996- Marcelle Adams
1995- Anna Jean Caffey
1994- Gisela Houseman
1993- Pam Crew Honeycutt
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