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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 26, 2007 - 3 ATHENA winner offers hope to families facing adversity By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF As the 2007 ATHENA Oakville recipient, Linda Rothney promises to do more of what she does. Driven by a passion for children, the president and CEO of ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Developments, helps local kids with physical challenges, and their families, find what is best for them. Often that means tackling decisions made for their futures by those who lack understanding of their potential. ErinoakKids is located in west Mississauga and assists special needs kids "be the best they can be" by offering a comprehensive range of clinical services and family supports to children and youths with multiple disabilities, complex disorders and speech delay living primarily in Halton and Peel. In short, Rothney has hope in the face of adversity and makes a difference by meeting that adversity head on. As such, according to last year's ATHENA Oakville winner, Dr. Brenda Zimmerman, who delivered the keynote address at Wednesday's ATHENA Oakville 2007 gala, Rothney is an Athenian rebel, a truth teller. Zimmerman told a crowd of more than 250 at the Oakville Conference Centre, the ATHENA movement is a rebellion against the dominant rhetoric of the day. A professor of strategic management at York University's Schulich School of Business and a co-author of the best-selling book, Getting to Maybe ­ How the World is Changed, Zimmerman said it is easy to be pessimistic. Zimmerman offered a quote that "things are too bad and time is too short for pessimism" and that its opposite is needed to move forward. That is not optimism, however, but hope, according to Zimmerman, and it comes from looking adversity in the face and taking action that is the right thing to do, regardless of how it will turn out. The ATHENA Oakville awards were established 11 "Linda Rothney is not a person who takes no for an answer." Diana Saulez, ATHENA Oakville chair clients, barriers others have often determined, often without understanding. Rothney works to honour the potential in bodies with physical challenges by working with other agencies to effect change, noted Saulez. Her latest project is working to adapt the Duke of Edinburgh Award so her clients can participate in the long- established tradition that recognizes youths. "Linda Rothney is not a person who takes no for an answer," said Saulez, noting the Oakville resident and former head of the Halton District Health Council, has a leadership style that is gentle and is someone who is a patient and assertive advocate, particularly for those with autism. Noting that Rothney is well respected by her clients and staff, Saulez said Rothney is also a gracious hostess, interesting travelling companion and a friend who can be called any time of the night or day and who will offer a hug and practical help. See Winner page 5 Defining moments in life... MICHAEL IVANIN / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER 2007 ATHENA Oakville winner Linda Rothney years ago, based on the international model that recognizes men and women who, in meeting a set of tenets, are worthy of recognition for professional excellence, service to the community and actively assisting women attain their professional goals and leadership skills. "If I had my choice, there would be six statues to hand out. Ultimately, the recipient is a reflection of all the other wonderful nominees," said Diana Saulez, ATHENA Oakville chair. A visibly shaken and proud Rothney, in accepting the coveted ATHENA Award, a statue of Athena, saluted her fellow nominees. Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom, war, the arts, industry, justice and skill. And the six local women nominated for the award this year shine in the areas of financial services, arts and education. The 2007 nominees included Shevawn Adams, owner of Inner Dimension Design Associates, who not only manages a business and family, but is a tireless community and church volunteer; Dr. Jane Coryell, a teacher, mentor and prominent figure on the local arts scene; Jane Wightman, headmistress of St. Mildred's Lightbourn School; Dekyi-Lee Oldershaw, a former Buddhist nun and founder of the healing-based education community Lamp on the Path, and Patricia Lovett Reid, senior vice-president of TD Waterhouse Canada Inc., author and host of MoneyTalk. 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