Rutherford, County, TN - Rutherford Cable is proud to present the 12th Annual Rutherford ATHENA Awards, celebrating the remarkable achievements of women leaders in the community. As the founding sponsor of the local ATHENA International Leadership Award program, Rutherford Cable is excited to announce the nominees for 2025—women who exemplify excellence in leadership, community service, and professional achievement.
This year's nominees include eight distinguished women vying for the Traditional ATHENA Award and ten rising stars competing for the Young Professional ATHENA Award, representing 12 organizations across Rutherford County.
The community is invited to join in this inspiring celebration on Thursday, May 16, at the MTSU Ballroom in the Student Union Building, located at 1768 MTSU Boulevard, Murfreesboro. The event is open to the public, with tickets priced at $65 per person or $600 for a table of 10. Interested attendees can reserve their seats today at rutherfordcable.org/Athena.
In addition to recognizing exceptional women, the Rutherford ATHENA Awards also provide up to $5,000 in educational scholarships to a non-traditional female student living or working in Rutherford County who has been out of high school for at least five years. This initiative is part of ATHENA International, a global nonprofit dedicated to supporting, developing, and honoring women leaders. Community members looking to support this initiative are encouraged to join the ATHENA Patrons Society. More information can be found on Rutherford Cable’s website at rutherfordcable.org.
Congratulations to the 2025 ATHENA Nominees!
ATHENA Traditional Nominees and Nominating Organizations:
- Shannon Bushman, RUTHERFORD Cable
- Mary A. Evins, Ph.D., League of Women Voters of Murfreesboro/Rutherford County
- Michelle Howser, Esq., Middle Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women
- Trina Frazier Martin, Middle Tennessee Electric
- Kathleen Schmand, American Association of University Women – Murfreesboro Branch
- Dr. Andrea Sheffield, Rutherford County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Ronda Spivey, Esq., Murfreesboro Breakfast Rotary
- Dr. Hanna Terletska, MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences
- ATHENA Young Professional Award Nominees and Nominating Organization:
- Andrea Bell, League of Women Voters of Murfreesboro/Rutherford County
- Ashley Carter, RUTHERFORD Cable
- Rachael Goonan, Murfreesboro Young Professionals
- Julia Johnson, M.ED, Rutherford County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Samantha Johnson, PHD, American Association of University Women – Murfreesboro Branch
- Chrisln Ledbetter, Murfreesboro Breakfast Rotary
- Emily McKee, MSSW, IMH-E®, Kymari House, Inc.
- Tosha Price, Ascend Federal Credit Union
- The Honorable Brittany Stevens, Middle Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women
- Taylor Worley, HG Staffing
