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Sister Patricia McNicholas Wins Athena Award
BOARDMAN, Ohio -- Sister Patricia McNicholas, executive director of Beatitude House, is the recipient of the 2005 Athena Award presented by the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber in co-sponsorship with The Vindicator.The ATHENA Award is given annually to recognize area business and professional women who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen career, provided leadership in the community and mentored or contributed to the growth of other professional women.The award was presented last night at Mr. Anthony's in Boardman.Sister Patricia created and has been the executive director of Beatitude House in Youngstown since 2001, where she supervises the program that provides transitional housing for 23 homeless families in the Valley and an education/career preparation program for low-income women, as well. Under her direction, Beatitude House opened a facility in Warren in 2001, while the Youngstown facility has expanded from 16 housing units to 23. Beatitude programs served 300 women and children during the last fiscal year. Beatitude House provides a two-year program, and of the women completing the requirements, 95% have never returned to homelessness.Prior to the Beatitude House, Sister Patricia created and directed The Potter's Wheel from 1996 until 2001. The organization is an education/career preparation program for homeless and low-income women and now runs under the Beatitude House.Sister Patricia joined the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown in 1962 and was the general superior, planning and implementing in the areas of financial management, human resource development, public relations and communications. From 1976-1989, the Youngstown native and current resident was the director of religious education and director of catechist formation for the Diocese of Youngstown. She holds a bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University, master's degrees from the Catholic University of America and the University of Notre Dame and a doctor of ministry from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton. She also sits on various community boards.Bette M. Walker, vice president and chief information officer of the Delphi Corp., was the featured speaker at the awards banquet."