Six women have been nominated for Norman's sixth annual ATHENA Award.

Sponsored locally by Ferguson Pontiac-Buick-GMC, the award is presented to an individual who has attained and personifies the highest level of professional excellence in his/her business or profession, has devoted time and energy to the community in a meaningful way, and, most importantly, has opened the doors of leadership opportunity for women.

Nominees for 2008 are Joan Barker, Cleveland County Work Force Development director; Pam Clinton, community volunteer; Master Police Officer Sondra "Jennifer" Newell, community relations officer, Norman Police Department; Paula Price, director, Community Health, Norman Regional Health System; Denise Lynn Rable, M.D., BCC medical director, McCurdy-Rable Surgical Clinic and general surgeon, Norman Regional Health System and Karen Rieger, attorney, Crowe -- Dunlevy.

This year's award will be presented at a reception 5:30?7 p.m. Oct 16 at the Assistance League of Norman, 809 Wall St.

Past recipients of the award include Molly Shi Boren, University of Oklahoma; Dr. Kenneth Crawford, Oklahoma Climatological Survey; Kathleen Drummond, Norman Regional Health System, Becky Payton, Johnson Controls and Dr. Nancy O'Brian, Norman Public Schools.