Honorees of this prestigious award included: The Honorable Joan Elizabeth Bray, Jean Cavender, Corinne Chalmers-Chelemengos, Anna E. Crosslin, Kristin J. Folkl-Kaburakis, The Honorable Margo McNeil, Cheryl D. Polk, Margie Price MAS, Linda Brown Reed, Sister Mary Jean Ryan FSM, Helen S. Shopmaker, Patricia Whitaker IIDA.

Honorees of Athena Award are selected for recognition based on the honor, esteem, radiance and passion of Hellenic beauty and accomplishments epitomized by the goddess Athena. Their love for humanity—demonstrated through their extraordinary commitment to community service—exemplifies the ethos of the Hellenic Spirit.

The Hellenic Spirit Foundation, HSF, was created by a group of motivated Hellenic American professional and business leaders in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The foundation is supportive of educational pursuits and is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of Hellenic language and culture. The HSF was instrumental in establishing the Greek Chair at UMSL.

Proceeds from fund raising events have enabled the Hellenic Sprit Foundation to contribute almost $1 million to further these ideals. Proceeds from the 2011 Athena Awards luncheon will benefit the scholarship program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.