By Almendra Carpizo
The Record, Stockton, Calif.
WWR Article Summary (tl;dr) Gillian Murphy, the past director of the San Joaquin Delta College Small Business Development Center, was honored at the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce’s 31st Athena Awards. At the SBDC she worked with advocates to develop an entrepreneurial program for unemployed and underemployed women.
STOCKTON
Gillian Murphy has focused her career on advocating for women.
So it was fitting that in a room surrounded by some of the city’s community and business leaders, she used her Athena Award acceptance speech to once again promote the advancement of girls and women.
“I said I have a call to action: encourage your daughters, granddaughters, sisters, friends, and strangers to consider multiple career options when they’re still in high school or if they’re looking for something different to do,” Murphy said during a luncheon Thursday at the Stockton Golf & Country Club.
“Our girls and women have the right to know they have choices, many of which can help ensure their economic independence.”
Murphy is the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce’s 31st Athena Award recipient.
According to the chamber, the Athena Award is an honor that recognizes outstanding business and professional women.
The recipients demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession, provide valuable service to the community and actively help women.
Murphy is the past director of the San Joaquin Delta College Small Business Development Center, where she worked with advocates to develop an entrepreneurial program for unemployed and underemployed women. She was also the dean of San Joaquin Delta College’s Applied Science, Business, & Technology. While there, she worked with faculty to increase the number of women in traditionally male-dominated occupations and expand the division by developing a logistics and transportation program and a robotics program.
Murphy said she was humbled and excited about being honored.
“It’s actually almost unbelievable,” she said. “I’m joining a group of women that I’ve admired for so long and that have done so many great things for this community and continue to.
“To be included in the great group is inspiring, it’s awesome and it’s also a responsibility.”
Also honored Thursday was Athena Young Professional Leadership Award winner Kristen Dyke.
Dyke, marketing director and co-owner of Port City Marketing Solutions, is the president of the Child Abuse Prevention Council and is on the Child Alliance Task Force for San Joaquin County.
“It’s an honor to be among some of the women that are in this room,” she said.
Receiving the award reinforces the positive work she’s doing and the groups she’s a part of.
“This means that I’ve been recognized for some of the efforts that I’ve never attempted to be recognized for,” she said.
