Mystic - . . . .  and the ATHENA Award goes to the Divine Miss M.

Mildred Devine of Waterford received the Mystic Chamber's ATHENA award Thursday in recognition of her excellence in business, community service and efforts to assist women in reaching their full leadership potential. It was the first time the award, which is presented in hundreds of cities worldwide, has been given out in southeastern Connecticut.

Sean D. Elliot

I'm absolutely overwhelmed by this. ... I consider the community as my family. I couldn't do it without all of you.' -- Mildred Devine

The ATHENA award program started in Lansing, Mich., in the 1980s when a businesswoman there wanted to showcase the professional and businesswomen in her community.

Devine didn't know she had won the award until Cindy Casey, owner of Brustolon Buick-Pontiac-GMC Truck Inc., announced her name at the culmination of the ceremony at the Mystic Hilton.

“Millie's inspiration has grown to embrace many areas of our community and she is herself an inspiration to all women. Her stellar career of accomplishments are many,” Casey said.

Casey rattled off a laundry list of Devine's professional memberships, accomplishments and community involvement, such as the New London Development Corp., the Leaders Forum, New London Rotary Foundation, American Association of University Women and the community foundations of southeastern and eastern Connecticut, to name a few.

Devine - owner of Devine Planning (www.devineplanning.org), an investment management group based in New London - was chosen from among eight nominees because of an organization she founded 26 years ago to give professional and business women the chance to meet each other, communicate and exchange general and career information.

The Southeastern Connecticut Women's Network has grown to include 130 members, Casey said. “It provides continuous support to the Women's Center of Southeastern Connecticut. It annually awards scholarships to students seeking to continue their education and who need financial assistance. It conducts special events, including a business showcase.”

Recognition isn't new to Devine, who was Southeastern Connecticut Women's Network “Woman of the Year” in 2000. But the chamber's award took her by surprise.

“I'm absolutely overwhelmed by this. This is the most exciting ...” she said as her voice broke. “As you know, my family has dwindled over the years. I consider the community as my family. I couldn't do it without all of you.”  All of the 150 dinner guests rose and gave Devine a thundering ovation.

Members of the chamber's ATHENA nominating committee, Edward O. McCabe, president of Fotolabo USA, and Jim O'Boyle, of the Mystic Funeral Home, said Devine deserved the honor. But they noted it was difficult to choose the winner among the nominees.

After an informal luncheon with the nominees, later followed by a two-hour session of the nominating committee, Devine emerged as the unanimous choice. McCabe said the group decided to keep her name a secret so the dinner would take on the air of the Academy Awards.

 The other local nominees were Robert Ballard, Patricia Hendel, Gail Mills, Jane Moriarty, Joyce Resnikoff, Lorraine Sanborn and Phyllis Waite.

g.alcedo@theday.com

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