Women and community leaders filled the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center celebrating the Athena awards and 25 years of Athena initiatives in Erie.

It's a milestone celebration for former banking officer Linda Stevenson who had the foresight to bring Athena to Erie."What's amazing is to see so many powerful women reaching out and helping our emerging women leaders.  It's just special that we're paying attention to women and helping women be leaders that we should be." 

Other Athena leaders say Stevenson has been a champion since day one helping to support, develop and honor women leaders. Colleen Moore Mezler said,  "She's done it through the PowerLink program which provides a quasi board of directors to a woman business owner and over 60 people have gone through that program."

A keynote panel punctuated that point, each outlining what Athena programs have done for their businesses, leadership skills, networking connections and growth.

Four area university women were nominated by officials at their schools as emerging leaders, with Gannon University's Madison "Maddie" Emerson named as the 2025 Athena Young Professional.  "One of my big passions is women's equality, women's rights, so being in this room full of so many inspiring women who are paving the way for people like me and my generation is super inspiring," Emerson said.

Then Mercy Center for Women's Jennie Hagerty was honored with the 2025 Athena Award for in transformational leadership in helping provide housing, and wrap around supports to move women in transition to restored productive lives.  She called the honor humbling.  "Very humbling, just to witness the support of women and men in this room today and the incredible presence of Athena for 25 years in our community speaks volumes for the wonderful work that Linda Stevenson and her team continue to do throughout Erie County."