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Cherri Stone Lolley was named the 14th Athena Award winner Tuesday afternoon at the RiverPark Center.

The event was presented by Girls Incorporated and the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.

Lolley had a 17-year career in nursing before opening her first business in Owensboro, Massage and Wellness. When she couldn't find special medical equipment for her daughter Emily, who resides at Wendell Foster's Center for Developmental Disabilities, she opened CherriCare Medical Equipment and Supplies.

Last year, she founded another business, Beautiful You, a specialty store that helps women experiencing health and image issues due to their battles with cancer.

"My parents taught me that we are put on this earth to help one another through the journey of life," Lolley said.

The Athena Award honors a person in the community who has attained and personifies the highest level of professional excellence in their profession, has devoted time and energy to the community in a meaningful way and has opened doors of opportunity for women.

Born the daughter of a missionary, Lolley grew up in Malawi, Africa and saw the difficulties women had in a poor country. Her goal was to work to empower women. She has contracted for products for her shop made by women in eastern Kentucky and Third World countries.

"Anytime you bring up her name, people are overwhelmed," said Tish Correa Osborne, Girls Incorporated CEO. "We're blown away by the passion she has for her work and for people.

"She cares and makes a difference. Her work didn't stop here. She found ways to extend her reach by going into other countries. What a difference she makes in providing equipment, supplies and resources."

Gov. Steve Beshear appointed her to the Kentucky Commission on Services and Supports for Individuals with Mental Retardation and Other Developmental Disabilities.

Lolley lobbied for healthcare reform and serves on the Girls Incorporated board of directors. She is active with CASA and Wendell Foster's.

"Because of geography, women have moved far apart and not been able to teach one another," Lolley said. "You have to adopt mothers and grandmothers in other areas to mentor young ladies and teach them mothering skills. It doesn't mean you have to have a baby, just care for other people, and help one another because we all need different levels of help at different times in our life."

The luncheon's keynote speaker was Mary Claire O'Neal, a communication consultant, speaker, certified coach and author from Lexington. She spoke about being painfully shy as a youngster, to the point of hiding in her room when visitors came to her home. Recognizing her problem, she took an acting class to challenge her fear.

She went on to an acting career and now serves on the board of directors of the National Speakers Association/Kentucky.

Other Athena Award nominees were Deborah Crowe, Deborah Fillman, Cathy Foster, Kelly Morris, Helen Mountjoy, Suzanne Northern Blazar, Alma Randolph, Janet Reid, Pam Smith Wright, Susie Tyler and Angela Woosley.


Rich Suwanski, 691-7315, or rsuwanski@messenger-inquirer.com