Mary Pat Angelini, New Jersey assemblywoman and executive director of Prevention First, was presented with the 2008 Athena Award by the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon Nov. 7.
Mary Pat Angelini The Athena Award recognizes individuals who have achieved excellence in their chosen profession, given back to their community in a meaningful way and assisted women in realizing their full potential. The Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce is the only organization in New Jersey to present this award.
Since 1992, Angelini has been the executive director of Prevention First, a nonprofit agency that teaches children how to be healthy, safe and drug-free. Angelini has served as president of the New Jersey Prevention Network and as a member of the Leadership Council for the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.
She was appointed by Gov. Christine Todd Whitman to serve on the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse in 2000 and reappointed by Govs. James Mc- Greevey and Jon Corzine. Angelini is immediate past chair of the NJBIA’s Employer Legislative Committee in Monmouth County, and she currently serves on the board of the Monmouth-Ocean Development Council.
Now in her first term in the state Assembly, Angelini serves on the Health and Senior Services and the Commerce and Economic Development committees.
Angelini is married to Robert Angelini, an investigator for the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. Their son, Bobby, attends the University of Maryland, and their daughter, Toni, lives with Angelini’s three grandchildren, Alex, Angelina and Nelly, in Matawan.
Martha M. Mertz, owner of Mayhood/Mertz Realtors, created the Athena Award program through the Chamber of Commerce in Lansing, Mich., in 1982. Her goal was to bring into focus the outstanding professional and businesswomen in the community and to encourage the opening of leadership opportunities for women.
The Athena Award program celebrates the potential of all women as valued members and leaders of the community and recognizes those who support them.
It has grown to include presentations to more than 5,000 individuals in hundreds of cities in the United States as well as
in Canada, China, Russia and the United Kingdom. The award takes the form of a handcast bronze sculpture symbolizing the strength, courage and wisdom of the recipient.
Local sponsorship of the Athena Award luncheon is provided by BMW of Freehold, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospitals of New Jersey, CentraState Healthcare System, Ampersand Graphics, Especially for You Florist and Gift Shop, Greater Media Newspapers, Ronald McDonald House and TD Bank.