Culture
Athens to celebrate 11th annual Athena Award honoring disability advocates next week
By: WOUB Culture Team
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – The City of Athens will host the 11th annual Athena Award ceremony on Wednesday, November 5, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Athens Community Center (701 East State Street). The event, which is free and open to the public, honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities in the greater Athens community.
Presented by the Athens City Commission on Disabilities and Mayor Steve Patterson, the Athena Award is the only official award given by the City of Athens. Since its inception, the honor has celebrated residents who go above and beyond in their advocacy, service, and leadership to make Athens a more inclusive and accessible place for all.
This year’s ceremony will feature a performance by the Athens County Community Singers. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and sign language interpretation will be provided.
Nominations for the 2025 Athena Award were accepted through September 2, with community members encouraged to recognize those who demonstrate exceptional dedication to disability advocacy and inclusion. Nominees were asked to meet one or more of several key criteria, including improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities, volunteering to create positive change, developing new programs or services, offering exceptional customer service, or demonstrating innovation or entrepreneurship that benefits the disability community.
Past Athena Award recipients reflect the wide range of contributions that continue to shape Athens’ culture of accessibility and compassion. Previous honorees include Dr. Larry Jageman, Michael Pletcher, Dr. Noriko Kantake, Elise Sanford, Dr. jw Smith, Patty Mitchell, Barbara Conover, Berry Dilley, William “Billy” Peacock, and Lisa Wigal—each recognized for their unique efforts to create a more equitable and welcoming community.
The Athens City Commission on Disabilities, which oversees the award, works year-round to identify and remove barriers to full participation in community life. The Commission also engages in education, outreach, and advocacy to ensure that Athens continues to evolve as a city that values and empowers residents of all abilities.
Community members interested in attending the ceremony are encouraged to RSVP via email at disabilitiescommission@ci.athens.oh.us to assist organizers with planning.