The award is presented by the Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation
St. Cloud, Minn. –The Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation has selected Tarryl Clark as the 2018 ATHENA Award recipient. Tarryl was chosen for the award because of her leadership and dedication to strengthening our community. The mission of the ATHENA Award is to recognize and honor Central Minnesota women who have achieved excellence in their careers and who inspire others. Criteria for selection include: demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in her business or profession; provides valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the lives of others in Central Minnesota; and actively assists women in realizing their full leadership potential.
Tarryl has a long history of supporting her community in a variety of ways and has recently been active in co-leading the recent voter referendum for the new Tech High School and the formation of the HomeFront Resource Center. Tarryl was the first director of the Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity, served as an attorney with the Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance, worked as the human resources director/affirmative action officer for Girls Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines, served as a Minnesota State Senator for District 15 and was the academic dean for St. Cloud Technical and Community College. Outside of her professional career, Tarryl is a Rotarian with the St. Cloud Rotary Club, a member of St. Cloud Area League of Women Voters and Minnesota Legislative Society and previously served as a board member for Local Activities and Education Foundation (LEAF).
Lisa Maurer, ATHENA Award selection committee chair stated, “Tarryl Clark was chosen for the 2018 Athena Award, as she exemplifies all that this Award stands for. Whether in her career or extensive community volunteerism, Tarryl has led and connected people to facilitate change that improves lives, strengthens organizations and impacts our community in a positive way.”
Past recipients of the award include Susan Mackert 1988, Colman O’Connell 1989, Peg Meyer 1990, Ann Thelen 1991, Nancy Fischer 1992, Diane Gohman 1993, Diana Murphy Podawiltz 1994, Dorothy Simpson 1995, Cheryl Lightle 1996, Connie Cross 1997, Sonja Sorensen Craig 1998, Patti Gartland 1999, Colette Carlson 2000, Marj Hawkins 2001, Sandy Neutzling 2002, Betty Schnettler 2003, Barb Carlson 2004, Joan Volkmuth 2005, Patt Adair 2008, Jan Bensen 2009, Elaine Bauerly 2010, Cindy Faye Johnson 2011, Molly Renslow 2012, Maxine Barnett 2013, Patricia Welter 2014, Ann Cofell 2015, Lynn Grewing 2016 and Linda Eich DesJardins 2017.
The award presentation will happen at the Central Minnesota Community Foundation Annual Dinner on September 11, 2018 at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud.
Since 2002, the Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation has been dedicated to strengthening the community by improving the lives of women and girls. The Women’s Fund has granted over $1.2 million to support local programs in three core focus areas: girls age 10-18, women in transition and elder women.
The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF), in affiliation with CommunityGiving, is a public charity that attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of the local community. Since 1985, CMCF has grown to over $89.6 million in assets and awarded over $93.1 million in grants to local non-profits. CommunityGiving is a collaboration of community foundations united under a single framework to create efficiencies that maximize the impact of our donors. The core foundations working with CommunityGiving include the Alexandria Area Community Foundation, the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, the Central Minnesota Community Foundation and the Willmar Area Community Foundation. Collectively, CommunityGiving administers more than 700 funds totaling more than $129 million. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org/CentralMN
