Dunigan, Rochefort honored-- Athena and Nike awards presented at Economic Club lunch

By Frank Weir Legal News The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce held its first Economic Club luncheon for 2011 last Monday hosting the Athena and Nike award presentations. Keynote speaker at the event was Karen Richard, owner of Culver's of Jackson. The Athena Award, presented by the chamber and sponsored by sponsored by Lloyd Ganton Retirement Centers, was presented to Jackson Mayor Karen Dunigan while the Nike Award, presented by the Jackson Business and Professional Women, went to former Jackson County Treasurer and local entrepreneur, Janet Rochefort. According to the Athena International website, the Athena award recognizes individuals who: * Demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession. * Provide valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community. * Actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential. Dunigan created "100+ Women who Care," a group of women who meet quarterly to donate $100 toward a selected charity. She also serves on numerous boards in the community. "I didn't do this by myself," Dunigan said of 100+ Women Who Care, after receiving the award from presenter Judi Ganton. "And it wasn't about the money we raised. It was the feeling we had when we walked out in less than an hour having raised close to $300,000. "I'm so proud and pleased to be here. Thanks to everyone who still takes my calls when I'm raising money. This is one great community and every day we prove this to each other. We prove that we are kind, giving and considerate. "Thanks to all of you for being a part of my community." Shirley Zeller next presented the BPW's Nike Award. Local Juvenile Referee and Magistrate Susan Murphy, who was in attendance, is the current state president of the state BPW organization. Zeller noted that the Nike Award is presented to a woman in the community who excels in business while dedicating her time to the community. The award presented is a replica of the Nike of Samothrace statue. "The statue often is called the goddess of victory," Zeller said. "It's part of the official BPW symbol. A part of its description is that the woman represented in the statue is 'secure in strength against the winds and waves of prejudice and limitation, leading forward with loyalty and love. "Our recipient certainly embraces whose qualities. Janet Rochefort grew up on a farm in Napoleon, graduated from the Napoleon Agricultural School and attended EMU and JCC. In 1978, she became a single mom and worked more than one job to keep her family together. "In 1980, she was elected Jackson County Treasure, the first democrat so elected since 1932. She spent 28 years there. "She is a small business owner and has plans for three new businesses," she said. In accepting the award, Rochefort said, "There are no coincidences in any of our lives. We need to pick something we love and make a career out of it. In 20 years, we'll be more disappointed in what we didn't do than what we did so sail away from your safe harbor." She thanked the BPW for "recognizing me and my dreams." Published: Thu, Mar 3, 2011

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