BETHLEHEM, Pa. — For Athena Award winners Vicki Doulé and Chloé Cole-Wilson, their careers of caring were forged as children.
For Doulé, it was helping her Nazareth family care for late sister, Michelle, who had Down syndrome.
“She was our community,” said Doulé, a Lehigh Valley Executive at Capital Blue Cross, after receiving a leadership award Tuesday during a luncheon at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks.
“Helping care for Michelle taught me that family is first, but to also give back to your community.”
The Athena Awards are presented by the Women’s Business Council of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and Capital Blue Cross.
The annual awards honor individuals who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession who provide valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in the community and who actively assist other women in realizing their full leadership potential.
'Lean on the Allentown community'
For Cole-Wilson, a queer Black woman, it was both the care in and outside her Allentown home that shaped her empathetic nature.
That experience, she said, steered her to a career as program supervisor at Silk Lehigh Valley, which provides essential services and support for LGBTQ+ youth.
"When I didn’t have something I needed, I was always able to lean on the Allentown community to get it.”Chloé Cole-Wilson, Athena Award recipient
“We were lower middle class,” said Cole-Wilson after receiving her emerging leader award. “The two women who raised me and my brother made sure we were taken care of.
“And when I didn’t have something I needed, I was always able to lean on the Allentown community to get it.”
The Athena Organizational Leadership Award was presented to ASR Media, of Bethlehem, a video production company focused on empowering women and deeply involved in nonprofits in the Lehigh Valley.
"This recognition is meaningful to me not only as a woman but how I've benefited from unwavering support," ASR Media President Katie Santana said.
"We are deeply committed to giving back with initiatives that uplift women and girls and create opportunities."
'Helping our communities is paramount'
Following the awards presentation, a question-and-answer panel discussion was held with Doulé, Cole-Wilson and Ashley Russo, ASR Media founder and chief executive officer.
“It’s no surprise that in my career I found a company that focused on giving back,” Doulé said. “The importance of helping our communities is paramount.
“I'm lucky to have been raised by incredible parents... They taught me to always do the right thing."Athena Award winner Vicki Doulé
“I'm lucky to have been raised by incredible parents — my mom who’s here today and my dad who’s smiling down from heaven.
"They taught me to always do the right thing … and they taught me to always give back to those in need.”
Doulé is involved in many Lehigh Valley organizations, such as the Allentown Commission on Homelessness, the United Way and is a member of the ArtsQuest board of trustees.
Among her honors are Bethlehem YWCA’s 2021 Golden Laurel, an award that honored Lehigh Valley women whose outstanding service and contributions benefited the Bethlehem community through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy.
'Unique and individual needs'
Also, the 2019 Woman of Influence by Lehigh Valley Business and the 2023 Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania Take the Lead Honoree.
Cole-Wilson serves on the boards of the Eastern Pennsylvania Trans Equity Project, Lehigh Valley Girls Rock, YWCA Bethlehem and the ArtsQuest Performing Arts Committee.
“There are hundreds of thousands of people in our communities that have unique and individual needs. I know what that feels like to have those needs.Athena Award winner Chloé Cole-Wilson
She told the attendees she was heartened by the many organizations that care for those in need in the Lehigh Valley.
“There are hundreds of thousands of people in our communities that have unique and individual needs,” Cole-Wilson said.
“I know what that feels like to have those needs. As a queer Black woman throughout my life, I was often the only.”
Vicki Doulé and Chloé Cole-Wilson. The accents are on their names.
And on helping.
