2009 OWA Pleiades Honoree

Shining Star Rene Soltis Encourages Everyone to Reach for the Stars!

NEW YORK, NY— Sharing the spotlight with family, friends and trusted advisors, Rene Soltis accepted the Optical Women's Association's (OWA) revered Annual Pleiades Award. This award was created to honor one individual each year that has shown exceptional support of the OWA and of women in the optical industry.

Over 200 attendees and "Rene" fans gathered at the Marchon Eyewear showroom to congratulate Rene and network with colleagues and friends. President Elect Laurie Badone opened the ceremony. Deborah Malakoff Castor and Dana Weeks, both past recipients of the award presented the 10th Annual Pleiades Award to Renee. Rene's heartfelt acceptance speech brought the crowd to tears as she shared her passion for reaching out and sharing the wisdom of experience to build a strong future for the industry.

Marge Axelrad, Sr. VP / Editorial Director, Jobson Optical Group and a founding member of the OWA had this to share. "Rene's passion for eyewear and the role it plays in people's lives has been apparent throughout her career. She's touched many within the profession with her creative ideas, lively training presentations and spokesperson appearances. Her influence has been widespread and she exemplifies all the qualities honored by the OWA's Pleaides Awards over the years."

Cocktails and a silent auction started off the festivities. Luxury items generously donated by Marchon's licensing partners raised over three thousand dollars for the OWA Professional Development Fund. A big thank you from the OWA to Marchon and licensing partners for the following items:

• Calvin Klein python handbag and sunglasses
• Michael Kors Skorpios Shopper bag
• Michael' eau de Parfum and sunglasses
• FENDI, Baguette, Zucchino canvas overnight bag and leather-detailed sunglasses
• Jill Sanders tote and sunglasses
• Coach leather handbag and Tasha sunglasses
• Emilio Pucci printed tote bag, Limited Edition Vivara fragrance and matching Vivara printed Pucci sunglasses.
• Disney gold passes valid for three days at any Walt Disney World Theme Park.

Renee noted in her speech many opportunities she has been afforded and thanked everyone for helping her along the way, while encouraging everyone to get involved in another's success.

The Award is named after the star cluster "The Pleiades" in the constellation of Taurus. "The Pleiades" is also known as the "Seven Sisters" - referring to the seven brightest stars in the cluster. According to Greek mythology, each star was named after the seven daughters of Atlas who were turned into stars by Zeus. Together these stars create one of the brightest clusters visible in the northern hemisphere, just as by working together, the women of the OWA have created an organization that is bigger and brighter than the sum of their individual efforts.

See the September 2009 Newsletter for some great photos from the 10th Annual Pleiades Award ceremony.

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.