Athena Awards Luncheon Celebrates Women Leaders

Athena Awards Luncheon celebrates women leaders.

A celebration of emerging women leaders took place Friday morning at the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts.

The Athena Scholarship Fund Windsor and the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce hosted the event that honours young women who exhibit outstanding leadership, academic excellence and community service.

The keynote speaker was Danielle Campo McLeod – celebrated Canadian Paralympic Gold Medalist, leadership coach and 2025 King Charles Coronation Recipient – her inspiring speech titled: The Champion Within.

This year’s honoured recipients of the Athena Scholarship are Kaitlin Ferraro (University of Windsor), Gihan (Gigi) Joseph (University of Windsor), Linda Nguyen (University of Windsor) and Sarah Wilkins (St. Clair College).

The scholarships are valued at five-thousand dollars each.

“And year after year, we see these scholarship recipients just outstanding of not only excelling in their school and in their personal endeavors, but really connecting to give back to the community,” said Campo McLeod.

“So, you know, you have those hard days, and you have those moments. And I think of the Athena Awards as that push through, keep on showing that we can have those difficult times, but we celebrate those amazing accomplishments all together.”

The selection criteria for scholarship includes community involvement, demonstration of leadership, high academic achievement and inspiring women to pursue their highest aspirations.