May 09, 2008 10:05 am Five or more years ago, when the magazine crowd talked about women and work, it was all about breaking the "glass ceiling" and getting off "the mommy track." Today the stories are about women making the most of "flextime" or even "alpha moms" who set their own rules. An older truth is that there have always been women who have made it in the business world, glass ceilings, flextime or not, through smarts, energy and a passion for their work. Marcia Bellinger, owner of Belstone Gallery at 321 E. Front St., was honored Wednesday with the 14th annual 2008 Athena Award from the Athena Grand Traverse organization. Bellinger was recognized for her support of various community organizations, including the local Zonta Club and the Women's Resource Center. She serves on her church board and is a member of the Downtown Traverse City Association. She is perhaps best known for her "boundless" support for the arts locally, including her work with the Old Town Playhouse and support for local artists and numerous art exhibits. Like so many other successful women in the Grand Traverse Area, Bellinger is also known for speaking her mind and supporting causes she supports. It seems to be a local trait. In the Grand Traverse area, Rotary Charities and the United Way are led by women. A woman co-founded Hagerty Insurance, one of the area's most famous employers, and a woman is company president there. Every year the Athena Award reminds us of the women who are making a difference here.
—
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.