The 35th Annual ATHENA Awards Gala Shined a Light on Remarkable Women

It’s fitting that, during Women’s History Month, Nashville Cable held its 35th Annual ATHENA Awards & Scholarship Gala to celebrate remarkable women in Middle Tennessee. Hundreds, dressed in stylish cocktail attire, poured into Music City Center, excited for a night of togetherness and inspiration, and ready to honor women who have shown exemplary leadership, performance, commitment to community and support of women.

After mingling in the lobby, guests enjoyed a hearty grilled chicken dinner. Co-chairs Laquita Stribling and Novonda Lilly spoke about their excitement to recognize those who’d empowered future generations by turning obstacles into opportunity. As girl-power anthems like “Girl on Fire” and “9 to 5” played, the 2025 nominees entered the room to raucous applause.

After a speech from Mayor Freddie O’Connell, emcee Lauren Lowrey turned the focus to students. College student Sarah Anderson and high schooler Violet Hansen earned a standing ovation for their poetry performance, before 10 teens were presented with $1,000 scholarships and brand-new laptops.

In her keynote address, serial entrepreneur Sherry Deutschmann urged women to stop talking about empowerment and instead lean into the power they already possess within them. The speech was an unmitigated hit — and a perfect segue into the night’s main event, the awards presentation.

The ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award went to Vanessa Helbig Johnson, the vice president of youth services and adult education at YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee and the executive director of Girls Inc. Throughout her career, Vanessa has championed initiatives that work to end racism, empower women and create opportunities. The ATHENA Traditional Award was given to Adrienne Battle, the first woman to lead Metro Nashville Public Schools as superintendent. That’s a massive feat, as just 1% of U.S. superintendents are Black women, a percentage Adrienne seeks to grow through her trailblazing career.

The night didn’t end when the speeches did. Rather, Raq City Soul Band took the stage, delighting the crowd with a 30-minute set of danceable tunes.