ATHENA Luncheon
The ATHENA Award honors women who strive toward the highest levels of personal and professional accomplishment, who excel in their chosen field, and devote time and energy to their community. Since the program's inception in 1982, more than 7,000 exemplary leaders in over 500 communities have received the prestigious ATHENA Award in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, China, Greece, India, Russia, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. By honoring exceptional leaders, the hope is to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives.
The ATHENA Luncheon is hosted annually by the Athens Area Chamber and the past ATHENA recipients. It recognizes the current ATHENA Nominees, and celebrates the accomplishments of female leaders in the Athens area.
ATHENA Nominees must meet each of the following criteria:
- Women who demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession
- Provide valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community
- Assist women in reaching their full potential
ATHENA Honorees
Julita Sanders, Juvenile Offender Advocate, 2022 ATHENA Honoree
Julita Sanders, a native of Athens-Clarke County, currently works full-time as Neighborhood Service Officer for ACCPD. She is also Adjunct at Athens Technical College and serves as Founder/Executive Director of Juvenile Offender Advocate INC. Julita is a servant leader who is dedicated to her community. Â
Julita’s diverse educational background focuses on community service. She holds an Associate’s in Paralegal Studies, Bachelors in Criminal Justice, Masters in Forensic Psychology and Certification in Marriage and Family Therapy. Julita is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc and has served on various boards and organizations including: Envision Athens, LEAD Athens, United Way of Northeast Georgia Impact Review Panel, CASA, Friends for Life Mentor, Student Paralegal Association, Solicitor General Campaign Committee, NALA, Citizen Advocacy Board, Foothill School Mentor, ABH, Evelyn C. Neely Leadership Class, Toastmasters, & NAACP.Â