Every woman has something ingrained in her that makes her special, and to recognize that fact, at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 12 at Sam’s Town Casino, 16 women will be honored as Athena award nominees during a luncheon sponsored by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce.

Committee member and 1994 recipient Sandy Cimino said one of those women will be chosen as the top recipient, but the process that brought them all to that point highlights the reasons they were nominated in the first place.

“Athena was created to encourage women to fulfill their leadership potential and give back to the community,” Cimino said. “One of the most important things is to mentor other women and help them achieve their goals.”

Athena awards have been presented since 1982 and began when the Shreveport chamber developed a women’s council to search for an award that would complement women. However, Cimino said two men have been nominated in the past.

The nominating process began in July with judges meeting in an undisclosed location to score the nominees.

“We bring in people to be judges from diversified backgrounds who have nothing to do with the committee,” Cimino said. “The judges know the criteria, but no one knows who they are looking at. They are just looking at the facts. It’s very fair.”

To attend the Athena Leadership Awards Luncheon, registration is required and tickets, which are $40, must be purchased in advance. Sponsorships are available and seats may be reserved by registering online or calling 577-2500 by Oct. 1.

Corine W. Ambler Corine Ambler is a nurturing individual who enjoys working with young people. She has been working directly with youth 16 to 24 years of age for more than 30 years and continues to encourage them to do their very best in the avenues they choose. Having had the opportunity to work in various departments at Shreveport Job Corps Center, Ambler has been instrumental in redirecting a number of students down a very different path from that which they thought they would travel. As a member of Toastmasters International, Ambler assists them in developing additional communication and leadership skills, which have helped them in securing employment and continuing their educational endeavors.

She is currently mentoring a group of young ladies in P.E.A.R.L.s (Positive, Elegant and Responsible Ladies), a club she was instrumental in developing at the Shreveport Job Corps Center. Ambler has been a Girl Scout and Girl Scout Leader, a Shreveport- Bossier Rescue Mission volunteer, and worked with Volunteers for Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc. She has also worked with NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet and the annual National Ground Hog Job Shadow Day. In addition to P.E.A.R.L.s, Ambler has participated in SUSLA’s 2012 Women’s History Month Celebration, where her goal was to encourage female student leaders to believe in themselves and take the challenge to improve and conquer any obstacle they may face. From 2008-2010, she coordinated Shreveport Job Corps Women’s Week Celebration, providing influential women speakers that brought encouragement to female staff and students.

Pamela D. Barker A Louisiana native, Pamela Barker was born in Lecompte, a small rural farming town south of Alexandria. She attended public schools and graduated from Louisiana College in Pineville with a dual major in elementary education and special education. Her advanced degrees include a M.Ed. in educational administration from Centenary College and additional 30+ graduate hours in special education/ assessment and evaluation from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. She has a married son and daughter and two grandchildren.

Barker worked as a classroom teacher for 21 years in various areas of special education including learning disabled, physically impaired and emotionally disturbed. She subsequently worked in Caddo Parish Schools as a compliance specialist, principal of Caddo Exceptional School and Alexander Learning Center. Barker feels she is blessed to work in a job that is more about her calling than fulfilling specific job responsibilities. She has had the opportunity to help students with special needs learn to become successful individuals and realize their own potential despite any limitations presented to them. She is also very proud that she had the opportunity to lead special programs and schools so that teachers, parents and staff were provided with tools and resources needed to help students succeed. She feels she has been fortunate that, for more than 35 years, she has been able to fulfill her passion and love for helping teachers teach and students learn. “Each and every child, each and every day” are words she feels truly describe her educational and personal philosophies.

Teresa L. Caine Two years ago, Teresa Caine took a step of faith and moved to Shreveport with her new employer, local staffing provider Kelly Services. Caine was reared a Texas girl riding on back wood country roads and working in her Nanny’s garden. She couldn’t see what awaited her across the Texas border, but she knew a good plan was ahead. Making Shreveport her new home has been one of the best decisions of her adult life. Caine jumped into her new career headfirst. She began by getting out to meet her existing customers and along the way established many flourishing partnerships. She is passionate about volunteering in her community, serving people and spending quality time with her family and friends. Caine supports a local women’s program, Dress for Success, for mock interview sessions. She has worked as a career center specialist spending time with women to encourage and boost confidence for their future professional careers.

In addition, she has provided feedback in a group setting on resume tips, grooming and appropriate dress attire to ensure each women is prepared for her future success. Recently, she began hosting Lunch & Learns for women on professional development, Resume 101 briefing and mock interview sessions. Caine has spent time as Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau - Event/ Committee volunteer. She is currently a Step Forward Literacy volunteer for local third-graders and Step Forward Cradle to Career Workforce Development Team. She also serves as a Society of Human Resource Management Fund-Raising Committee member.

Dianne Clark Dianne Clark, interim director for Northwest Louisiana Technical College, has a career in higher education that has focused on training individuals from every walk of life. Originally hired in 1989 as an office occupations instructor for NWLTC, she has moved up through the ranks of a traditionally male-dominated industry. In May 2015, she was appointed as interim director, the second female to serve in this role in the college’s 80-year history. Clark is an advocate for the adult leaner and continues to identify opportunities to help citizens at all levels of education earn a living wage. NWLTC recently completed a series of trainings entitled “Women in the Workforce.” Female students were recruited to participate in a four-day program introducing them to manufacturing-related careers, providing evidence that females can be successful in non-traditional careers. Clark said she feels many females struggle with the challenges of providing for children and do not complete their high school education. Therefore, NWLTC is entering into a partnership with Providence House, which will provide those females who need to earn their high school equivalency certification with an opportunity to earn up to six credit hours of instruction free of charge. The goal is to provide the foundation for mothers to compete on an equal playing field. As a 26-year member of Kappa Kappa Iota, Clark has supported and assisted women in reaching their leadership potentials. Her chapter contributes to homeless families headed by females and provides scholarship opportunities for female teachers who want to further their educations.

Shondale T. Coleman Shondale Coleman was born in Shreveport and reared in Houston. She is an alumnus of Northwestern State University, where she earned her associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in science. She currently works in health-care marketing and public relations for Magnolia Manor/Central Management Company, LLC. Coleman is the wife of Nathaniel Coleman Jr., and she is affectionately known as Madison’s mom. In her chosen field of health-care marketing/publication, she tries to forge a bond with each new young lady coming into the field by serving as a mentor to them providing contacts, best practice advice and developing partnerships between companies and others for the forward progress on both of their careers. Through her work with Women’s Ministry, she coordinates an annual Health, Social and Spiritual Conversation among women whether they are laypersons in the church or community leaders or business owners. She has served as a consultant to female start-up business owners again providing marketing strategies, best practice, consumer databases and networking advice for them to grow their businesses. Coleman works with Girl Scouts of America and the young female mentoring groups of her sorority. For more than 10 years, she has dedicated her life to working with the empowerment of young ladies in the community through one service effort or another focusing in the arts, travel, college and career planning, volunteerism and general life skills. Coleman volunteers with her church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., the Community Healthcare Education Network and the Case Management Society of America.

Tracy Hadwin When Tracy Hadwin first joined Fire Tech Systems Inc. in 2008 as an inspector, she previously had worked as a first responder with the South Bossier Volunteer Fire Department. Her early responsibilities at Fire Tech included basic inspections. Although she initially had limited training and experience with advanced inspection techniques, within six months she had received her State Fire Marshal License to inspect fire extinguishers, special hazards systems and fire sprinkler systems. A year later she had earned her Level II Certification in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies. With her dedication to safety and a desire to develop her skills, Hadwin stepped out of her comfort zone and regularly assisted with safety meetings, an area where she had no experience. Because of her hard work, when a position in the safety division subsequently became available, Hadwin was offered the position she currently holds of safety director. In assisting women in reaching their leadership potential, Hadwin has spoken at several schools and organizations about the different career paths available. She has been a mentor to young women interested in working in the field of safety. She has served in capacities with other women employed in the construction field, recruiting new members, and is currently serving as the regional safety chairperson. Hadwin volunteers as an assistant coach with Girls on the Run to help young girls realize that they are all capable of reaching their goals and that no dream is too big.

Rosie Lee James Rosie James is the community affairs executive for University Health- Shreveport.

She is the contact for the hospital activities and involvement of community engagements. James also acts as the liaison to the president of the hospital, Rod Williams. She recruits volunteers, distributes donations throughout the hospital, launches Congregational Health and speaks to kids about 95210. Prior to the health-care industry, James spent more than 20 years in media, assisting various local and regional businesses grow their companies.

She focused on growing and increasing the client’s bottom line. James grew up in the church and was always inspired by the women who spoke well at church events. When she became an adult, James spoke to many congregations to motivate women in a powerful yet spiritual way. She realized many were broken and needed a hand up, so she would study the scriptures and quote verses that would heal a broken heart. James enjoys motivating and speaking to women from Dress for Success. She was introduced to the group by Junior League originally. Partnering with her former high school, James goes back to speak to young ladies about education and careers. The most rewarding moment was hearing from former teachers and students, “job well done.” James has joined a group of young women who mentor teens throughout Shreveport. Designing Women of Color has given her the opportunity to reach out to young girls, discuss the concerns in the neighborhood, answer health questions and prepare teens for future career opportunities.

Jazmin Janiece Jernigan Jazmin Jernigan is a creative professional, marketing consultant, small business advocate, owner of Aesthetic Innovations and artists service manager for Shreveport Regional Arts Council. Jernigan received a bachelor’s degree in fine art with a concentration in graphic design from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and went on to complete a master’s degree in business administration, with a strong focus in marketing. She is passionate about her craft and encouraging entrepreneurial spirit in under-serviced youth and artists in her community. She uses her talent and skill as a commercial artist to give back to her community and promote the interests of local small businesses in Shreveport. To date, Jernigan has mentored three young women interested in developing careers in the design or photography industry. She provides her protégées with hands-on learning experiences and introduces them to a vast network of local resources. In addition, Jernigan partners with other female entrepreneurs to promote a sense of synergy within the local community. By actively networking and referring other female business owners, Jernigan believes she can build a powerful, influential network of savvy consumers and providers, thereby promoting a healthier economy. As director of community outreach with SRAC, Jernigan worked to introduce artists to grant opportunities that could grow their reach and visibility within the community. As the independently contracted artist services manager of SRAC, Jernigan takes a special interest in ensuring merging female artists and entrepreneurs are kept up to date on all available artist calls and opportunities to share their craft.