Brennan chosen Athena recipient

Award recognizes

achievements

of women

BY SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Carol Brennan received a real surprise Monday morning at the Ulmer Cafe when she learned that she was chosen as the recipient of 10th Annual Athena Award.

The award recognizes and honors the achievements of professional and business women.

"I was totally surprised," Brennan said.

The Athena Award, which is a cooperative effort of the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce and Jensen Motors, will be presented to Brennan during the Chamber's annual meeting on Thursday, Aug. 24, at the Holiday Inn.

Brennan was enjoying a morning break at the Ulmer when "a whole parade of wonderful women" entered the restaurant carrying flowers and bearing the news of her selection.

Those women were previous recipients of the Athena Award, which is represented by a bronze and crystal sculpture embodying the strength, wisdom and power of the Greek mythical goddess.

"I feel extremely honored to be among such an outstanding group of women," Brennan said. "It just fills my heart with so much joy."

Family members -- husband Tim, son Jeremy, daughter Heather Hawkins, and mother-in-law Faith Brennan -- shared Brennan's moment of disbelief and the thrill of her recognition. "It made it so complete to have my family there," she said.

Involvement in community activities means her family has given up a part of her "so graciously" all these years, she said. Her altruism is based simply on the premise that she contributes "just because I feel I should," she said.

Brennan has worked in advertising sales for Ad Associates Inc. in New Ulm for the past 18 years.

She participates in St. Mary's parish activities such as organizing eucharistic ministers and assisting with liturgies. She has helped on the parish council for three years and the liturgy committee for more than 10 years.

For the past 15 years she has served as a religious education instructor and a confirmation assistant. She has also been involved in the parish festival for the past 22 years.

Brennan's other community service activities include working as a board member for CommonBond Communities/St. Michael's Apartments for four years; decorating the Garden Terrace I and II for a few years, and working as an advocate/liaison for children in the court system as a Guardian ad Litem for three years.

Carolyn Rewitzer, owner of Hope Diamonds, New Ulm, wrote of Brennan in a nomination letter, "There wasn't a drop of hesitation in Carol's voice when I told her to help me fulfill a dream ... to open by own business 'Hope Diamonds.' She supported my venture 200 percent. I can't begin to mention all the ways she jumped right in from wallpapering my shop to volunteering at my store opening, just to mention a couple."

Past winners of the Athena Award include Donna Lambrecht of Lambrecht's and the Christmas Haus in 1999; Ruth Ann Webster of Gislason Law Firm in 1998; Sharon Weinkauf of State Bank and Trust Company in 1997; Shirley Meidl of GutenTag Haus in 1996; Vicky Pieser in 1995; Diane Debban of Koeckeritz Realty in 1994; Janet Dempsey, NUACS teacher, in 1993; Dr. Ann Vogel in 1992; and Mary Ellen Domeier of State Bank & Trust Company in 1991.