2005 OWA Pleiades Honoree

MINNEAPOLIS, February 2005 — The Optical Women's Association (OWA) today announces it will honor Mimi Friedfeld, co-owner, ClearVision Optical, with the 6th Annual Pleiades Award at its cocktail and award reception on Friday, March 11, during the weekend of International Vision Expo in New York. The event will be held in the Marchon Eyewear Showroom located at 8 West 40th Street. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6 p.m. The award presentation will begin at 6:45 p.m.

Friedfeld began her career with ClearVision Optical in 1968. Over the years, she managed the accounting and personnel departments and contributed to design of the company's fashionable eyewear products. Most notably, Friedfeld has helped her husband, ClearVision Optical founder Fred Friedfeld, grow the family-run business from a small regional wholesaler to one of today's most respected leading optical distribution companies.

Today, ClearVision Optical's business remains in the family. Mimi and Fred Friedfeld's son David serves as the company's president, and their son Peter serves as its executive vice president. Friedfeld stays involved with the company by holding a seat on its Board of Directors. She has been an active member of the OWA since its inception.

The Pleiades Award spotlights an individual who has shown a commitment to the mission of the OWA by fostering the growth of women in the industry. The Pleiades Award is named for the star cluster Pleiades in the Taurus constellation. The Pleiades is also known as the "Seven Sisters" — referring to the seven brightest stars in the cluster. The cluster was named for Atlas' seven daughters, whom Zeiss turned into stars.

Pleiades Award winners have a star named after them and receive a star map and certificate as part of their recognition. Prior recipients have included Dana R. Weeks, Optical Services International (OSI), Carene S. Kunkler, Sight Resource Corporation, Andrea Gluck, Eyewear Designs, Inc., Tom Styers, Essilor, and Charles "Pat" Patterson, Walman Optical.

The invitation to attend this event is extended to both OWA members and non-members. Guests are asked to RSVP by February 28 via email to or by calling (612) 520-6185.

The event was sponsored by Marchon Eyewear and SOMO Optical.
The event venue was kindly provided by Marchon.
Marchon Eyewear Showroom
8 West 40th Street, 21st Floor
(b/t 5th and 6th Avenue)

The OWA's Mission is to enhance and promote the leadership role of women in the ophthalmic industry through networking and peer support. The Optical Women's Association is a non-profit organization, founded in 1997. Our projects and programs include:

• Star Network mentoring program that provides women in the optical industry with personal and professional growth opportunities.
• Networking events and resources that provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information among all levels of the industry.
• Creating visibility throughout the optical community that raises the level of awareness of women's roles in the ophthalmic industry.
• The annual Pleiades award, which recognizes and honors individuals who have made a significant difference for women in the optical industry.
• Publishing the Annual Membership Directory, a tool for networking and optical calendar.

The OWA would like to thank our sponsors for their generous support and belief in our mission to advance and promote the leadership role of women in the Optical industry.