ADRIAN — The members of Athena Lenawee know that when women support women, incredible things happen. 

That belief is at the heart of everything the organization does, from the grants it offers to its scholarship program to its annual awards, which were given out at a ceremony at the Hills of Lenawee Golf Club on Sept. 16. 

Athena’s highest honors — the Leadership Award, Young Professional Award and Parthenon Award for Business — recognize individuals and organizations who not only excel in their respective fields but help others be their best, too. 

Helping others is something that Athena Lenawee Leadership Award recipient Sherri Tuckey, owner of Tuckey’s Big Boy in Tecumseh, knows well. Whether it’s providing meals, raising money through bake sales, serving on local boards and more, Tuckey has dedicated her life to being of service to those around her. 

“I’m here to accept this award for everybody who just wants to get up and do what they’ve got to do to help,” she said. “When each of us gives a little — be it time, talents or treasures — we lift up the whole community.” 

Tuckey has been passionate about uplifting her community for her entire life. Her long list of accomplishments and passions were nurtured by the women she was surrounded by in her youth, like her mother and aunt, and she took their example to heart. On top of everything else she does for Tecumseh and beyond, Tuckey has become a dedicated mentor to young women, helping them grow to become the strongest, best versions of themselves. 

“I don’t see myself as a leader,” she said. “I’m always working behind the scenes. But maybe that’s what leadership really is. It’s about showing up, pitching in and helping others succeed.”

This passion is one that’s shared by Kara Dominique, this year’s Athena Young Professionals Award recipient. Dominique, community relations manager for Lenawee Medical Care Facility, knew right away that she wanted “more than a paycheck” out of her work. She took that dream and ran with it, championing expanded Alzheimer’s drug coverage in Washington D.C., becoming a legal advocate for Catherine Cobb Safe House, serving as the president of the Zonta Club of Lenawee and more. 

“When there’s a will and a very determined group of women, they’re going to make a way,” said Dominique. 

She may be young — the Young Professionals Award is limited to women 40 and under — but she’s accomplished a lot, including volunteering with and eventually working for Hospice of Lenawee, starting her on the path that led her to her current position.

“There, I was able to rediscover my passion of working for a mission,” she said. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, she took things to the next level. Delivering meals to homebound seniors and volunteering at vaccine clinics, Dominique put herself on the front lines to help her most vulnerable neighbors at every opportunity. 

“During a great time of uncertainty, I felt it was my duty to serve my community when so many other people couldn’t. I did what I could to ensure that everybody in our community was as safe and as happy as they could be during that time.” 

While individual leaders are a vital part of any thriving community, businesses and organizations do so much to uplift the people who call it home. Uplifting residents is something that the leadership of Lenawee County ­— this year’s Athena Parthenon Business Leadership Award winner — understands deeply. 

With women holding more than 60% of the department leadership roles in Lenawee County, they are proof that helping women thrive helps your community thrive, too. 

“The Athena Parthenon Award is a symbol of Lenawee County’s core values and our shared mission,” said Kim Murphy, Lenawee County administrator, who accepted the award on behalf of the county and its employees. “Demonstrating commitment that goes beyond our daily work, uplifting every individual — especially women — to help them realize their full potential.” 

While the county has made great strides in welcoming women into leadership roles, it wasn’t always that way. It has only been within the last five years, Murphy said, that women have been taking the reins at that level in Lenawee County. 

“Over the years, we have worked to foster a culture where creativity and initiatives are not just encouraged but celebrated in women and men alike,” Murphy said. “We believe that true, professional excellence can only be achieved when everyone has a seat at the table and a voice in the conversation.” 

This year’s awards ceremony brought out dozens of attendees to celebrate this year’s crop of winners, some of whom were past award recipients themselves. 

“I love to see young women professionals just starting out who aren’t just focused on their career but on giving back to their community,” said 2024 Young Professional Award winner Landa Fick, a mortgage lender with TLC Credit Union. “Tonight, Kara showed that it’s not just her job, she’s giving back in so many other ways and getting involved.” 

For others, seeing a loved one receive the honor was just proof of something they already knew to be true. 

“Sherri has always been a wonderful person, from the time she was a young girl,” said Lucinda Hand, Tecumseh resident and Tuckey’s aunt who was there to celebrate her niece’s accomplishments. “She’s blossomed as an adult, I’m so happy and impressed and proud of her.” 

It was even a special night for family who couldn’t join but celebrated from afar. 

“Kara has invested so much in her career and her community simultaneously, and I’m thrilled to see her get such recognition for it,” said Nicole Dominique, Kara Dominique’s sister who lives in Grand Rapids. “This honor is so well deserved and so inspiring to witness.”

The awards may be done for the year but Athena’s work continues. The organization is already planning for upcoming events that will fund initiatives like the scholarship program and mini-grants that do the daily work of empowering women across the Lenawee County community, work that is exemplified by this year’s award recipients. 

“This award is not something you just get one year and then tuck it away,” said Marcy Brown, Athena Lenawee fundraising and awards event chair. “You live it each year. It’s awesome to live in a community that supports women to be developed not only into leaders but to contribute to this community, making it what it is today. It’s an honor to keep that spirit alive and make the community a better place.”