ATHENA recipient: ‘...we do it because we care’

The Humility of Mary Health Partners executive pledges to ‘earn and re-earn this distinction.’

By DON SHILLING

VINDICATOR BUSINESS EDITOR

BOARDMAN — Molly Seals pulled out a ripped and tattered piece of paper before giving her acceptance speech as the 2007 ATHENA Award recipient.

She didn’t need it. Her most memorable words came from her heart.

“So many women, like me, do it not for the recognition, not for any kind of award or reward, but we do it because we care,” said Seals, senior vice president of human resources and organizational development at Humility of Mary Health Partners.

Nearly 700 people were on hand Thursday at Mr. Anthony’s when Seals was selected from among 33 nominees. The award, sponsored by the Regional Chamber and The Vindicator, honors women for professional achievement, community leadership and mentoring.

Not looking at her paper, Seals promised not to let up in any of those areas.

“I’ll do everything in my power to earn and re-earn this distinction,” she said.

When she first got to the microphone, Seals laughed and said that organizers told all of the nominees to prepare remarks.

Sincere thank yous

Twice nominated before, Seals said she didn’t think she had a chance, so she ignored the advice until her husband asked her about it as she left the house Thursday.

Driving to the banquet hall, she grabbed a piece of paper in the car and scribbled some thoughts.

“The people driving next to me must have thought I was crazy,” she said.

Most of her prepared remarks were giving thanks — to God, “he guides my steps;” to her family, “for the laughter and the tears;” to her in-laws, “my second set of parents;” and to her staff, “My success is your success.”

And there was one more person, Sarah Monroe.

“I want to thank my mom. Many might mistake her for an aging woman … but I know her as the backbone of my strength,” Seals said.

In conclusion, Seals said she was accepting the bronze, marble and crystal ATHENA sculpture on behalf of all of the nominees because of their commitment to the community.

Betty Jo Licata, dean of the business school at Youngstown State University, said in earlier remarks that there is a recipient, not a winner, at the ATHENA awards because all nominees are being honored.

Women behind the scenes

Sonja Williams, wife of Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams, praised all nominees in her keynote address. They aren’t interested in topping each other, just using their strengths to help others.

“What you see here is the embodiment of what makes a good community – everyone learning how to do what they do best,” said Williams, who is Upward Bound coordinator at Youngstown State University.

Her message was about being a person of influence.

Often, the public only sees a person with a title and fails to notice the others behind the scenes, she said.

Often, it is a woman who is behind the scenes influencing a decision, she said.

Williams drew laughter when she told of how frustrated she can be at political events.

“It drives me batty every time I hear the phrase ‘and his lovely wife,’” she said.

Sometimes, she said she is tempted to try to prove herself and show that she is significant.

Other times, she is content to stand and smile “like a happy, helium balloon” and “allow you to perceive what you would like to perceive.”

In the latter case, she is opting for influence instead of position because she knows she will have her husband alone in the car later and will be able to “debrief him” about the events of the evening.

She challenged everyone in attendance, women and men alike, to exert a positive influence in their homes and in the community.

shilling@vindy.com