Learn about the History of Women's Council

Message From The President

On behalf of the Women’s Council, I would like to enthusiastically welcome your involvement and participation in our organization.  A tour of our website will show you the many ways to become engaged in Women’s Council events and programs, and to enjoy the benefits and advantages of your membership.  As a member of the Women’s Council, you will also have opportunities to become involved with the Rochester Business Alliance, with which we are affiliated. 

Women’s Council is off to a great start for 2008, beginning with one of our signature programs, the Twenty-second Annual ATHENA Awards.    This year’s recipient, Dr. Ruth Lawrence, Professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center, has a distinguished record of professional and personal accomplishment and is an extraordinary exemplar of the tenets of the ATHENA program.  All of our 21 finalists were well representative of the diversity and exceptional talent that has been a source of our region’s strength and vitality.  Program highlights are available by clicking on the ATHENA Award link.  We encourage you to plan on attending the 2009 ATHENA Awards that will take place on January 22, 2009, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

On June 5, 2008, we will host our annual Young Women of Distinction Scholarship Program, where young ladies in the Junior and Senior years of high school are recognized for academic achievement and community service. The selection criteria for this scholarship program mirror the ATHENA tenets. Young women may be nominated by teachers, counselors, relatives, neighbors.  If you know of an outstanding young woman who should be nominated, we encourage you to do so.  Like our ATHENA honorees, these young women are inspirational role models in whom we can all take a great deal of pride.  We invite you to participate with the committee, as a nominator, or sponsor. Click on the Young Women of Distinction link for further details.

Making connections and networking is another important aspect of the Women’s Council’s activities.  We are proud to partner with Latinas Unidas for a joint evening of networking with our respective members.   This program provides an opportunity to get to know each other, share cultural interests and to hear from distinguished guest speakers, such as Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks.  To reflect the eclectic interests of the members of our organizations, and to enable all of us to experience some of our region’s rich cultural resources, the programs have also included performances by the world-renowned, and Rochester’s own, Garth Fagan Dance Troupe as well as the Borinquen Dance Theatre.

The Women’s Council is a great way to get connected in our community.  We invite all interested women in business, education and/or the non-profit sector to join us, and to take advantage of the many interesting and rewarding opportunities offered by the Women’s Council!

Best wishes!

Deborah M. Stendardi

Who We Are
Women’s Council (WC) works in cooperation with the Rochester Business Alliance to foster goodwill and promote the civic, commercial, cultural and educational progress in the Greater Rochester region.

Women’s Council continues to attract a membership of diverse professionals, committed to working in partnership and acting as catalysts in the pursuit of professional excellence by sharing their talents, skills, achievements, experiences, and resources with business and professional women in an environment with both challenge and opportunity.

The ATHENA Award®
The Athena Award, an international program with over 3000 recipients, was founded in 1982 to recognize and honor the achievements of outstanding and professional business women. The program was introduced to Rochester in 1987 by Women’s Council of The Rochester Business Alliance, Inc. The ATHENA Award recognizes women of achievement in our community for their professional excellence and community service, and for actively and generously assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. Women’s Council believes that by recognizing women of achievement, doors stay open for all women. and that opportunities for them continue to grow.

This program is a celebration of excellence and recognizes the leadership roles that women have in the workplace and in the community.

Young Women of Distinction Award
This scholarship award program was created to nurture the next generation of female leaders, while enabling companies and organizations within our community to grow and prosper. The program is designed to discover young leaders who have displayed leadership, academic excellence, and involvement in the community. As the Women’s Council extends its reach to these young women through ongoing mentor relationships, we encourage them to return to our community after college to make a difference in the business sector.

Women’s Latina Connection (WLC)
Women’s Latina Connection joins two organizations, Latinas Unidas and the Women’s Council, for an evening of intercultural networking and information sharing. This unique, innovative gathering appropriately features opening remarks from a keynote speaker, in a setting that fosters collaboration and partnership.

Women’s Council Holiday Party
Women’s Council celebrates the season of giving through its annual holiday networking event. This celebration unites women who have been recognized for their professional excellence and valuable service in the community, while assisting other women in their attainment of their professional goals.

(View and print PDF Membership Brochure)