Dawn Littlefield , 2007 DeKalb ATHENA recipient, is congratulated by Dianne Leifheit, recipient of the award in 1992. Littlefield was named this year’s recipient Nov. 1. (Photo by Kathy Vance Siebrasse)

Littlefield earns DeKalb ATHENA Award

Dawn Littlefield was named the 2007 DeKalb ATHENA Award recipient at a recognition event at DeKalb’s Best Western Inn Thursday, Nov. 1.

The ATHENA Award recognizes an individual for business and professional accomplishments, for community service, and for serving as a role model to encourage women to reach their full leadership potential. ATHENA finalists must live or work in DeKalb and still be active in their careers.

An international award program, the DeKalb ATHENA Award is sponsored by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce , Mike Mooney , Inc., and National City Bank-DeKalb.

Alice Freier , 2006 ATHENA Award recipient, helped present the 2007 award to Littlefield, who is executive director of the Kishwaukee United Way .

The evening’s program also recognized the contributions of four other finalists: Lisa Angel , special projects manager for Northern Illinois Publishing Co., publishers of the Daily Chronicle, MidWeek and Valley Free Press; Dee Coover , director of the DeKalb Public Library; Linda Linden , development coordinator at Kishwaukee Health Foundation; and Ellen Tyne , administrator of Barb City Manor Retirement Center.

In addition, three people received the Woman of Accomplishment Award, Donna Greenacre, Carol Hertzner and Peggy Safford.

The Women of Accomplishment Award recognizes individuals who embody the ATHENA criteria, but who are retired, are no longer working, or for whom retirement is imminent.

Nominations for the ATHENA Award and WOA are received from the community at-large.

The national ATHENA recognition program is sponsored locally by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce , Mike Mooney Chevy-Olds-Cadillac, and National City ’s DeKalb Banking Center . DeKalb’s first ATHENA Award was given in 1990.

In her introduction of Littlefield as recipient, Freier said, “she believes she herself has not made noteworthy individual accomplishments, but has contributed a great deal through affiliations with numerous organizations. She feels blessed to work alongside men and women who play a significant part in keeping our community responsive to those who need service, support and nurturing!”

As executive director of Kishwaukee United Way , Littlefield was instrumental in the merger of the Sycamore and DeKalb organizations into one entity several years ago. She is a DeKalb Chamber Ambassador and was named Ambassador of the Year. She is a past chair of Corn Fest, serves on the City of DeKalb ’s Cultural Affairs Commission executive board, and was Annual Assembly chair for DeKalb County Partnership for a Substance Abuse Free Environment.

Littlefield also is active in Kishwaukee Women’s Network, the DeKalb County Human Services Initiative, DeKalb County Community Foundation Works Early Childhood Education Committee, the Sexual Assault Advisory Committee, NIU’s Institutional Review Board and Voluntary Action Center , earning the VAC Support Award. She serves on the FEMA board, the non-profit Training Consortium, Community Services Block Grant and the 4-C Resource and Referral Network.

Littlefield began her career in higher education, an opportunity that allowed her to be mentored by professional women while at the same time she was able to mentor sorority students. In her current position, she said she is humbled to be able to support women who are primary in delivering service to clients through 31 social service agencies.

Said one of her nominators, “I don’t believe I have met a more caring, giving individual. Her compassion goes beyond her job responsibility as director of the Kishwaukee United Way ! She volunteers, she fund-raises, sells tickets, works at events, joins boards and just generally becomes involved with every aspect of supporting the non-profit sector of the community.”

Past recipients of the DeKalb ATHENA Award are: 1990, Kathy Siebrasse,
The MidWeek; 1991, Jan Bradbury, Kishwaukee College ; 1992, Dianne Leifheit, DeKalb Radio Stations; 1993, Ellen Roger s , Voluntary Action Center ; 1994, Ging Palma Smith, Kishwaukee College ; 1995, Pat ricia LaVigne, DeKalb Township .

Also, 1996, Sharon Emanuelson , The MidWeek; 1997, Barbara Kummerfeldt, Egyptian Theatre; 1998, Kay Berke, Royal Travel & Tours; 1999, Nancy Vidlak , Kishwaukee Health System; 2000, Mary Olson , DeKalb County Community Services; 2001, Vonei White , Bill White’s CAR Hospital ; 2002, Pat Elsner , Century 21-Elsner Realty; 2003, Micki Emmett, NIU; 2004, Rena Cotsones , NIU; 2005, Dr. Michele Glasgow, Midwest Orthopaedic Institute; and 2006, Alice Freier , DeKalb Clinic Chartered.