Athena recipient credits friends, family

Mary DuBuisson became the 14th recipient of the prestigious Athena award Wednesday during a presentation made Wednesday at the East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce's Second Wednesday luncheon in Slidell.

DuBuisson accepted the signature Athena statuette from Brenda Case, who earned the honor last year and applauded DuBuisson and nominees Lisa Fitzmorris Clement, Dr. Maria C. "Margo" Guilott, Slidell Councilwoman Kim Harbison, Slidell Deputy Chief of Staff Tara Ingram-Hunter, Kathy Lowrey, Sharron Ann Newton, Theresa Risley and Kelly Rodriguez. "Each is a heroine in her right," Case said.

Owner of DuBuisson's Art Corner in the former Slidell Cleaners facility in Olde Towne Slidell, DuBuisson is a 1990 Bravo award winner and the 1997 East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year. A graduate of Leadership Slidell, and active on the project that resulted in the establishment of the Camellia City Market in Olde Towne Slidell, DuBuisson is affiliated with a long list of community development and cultural programs. She was a founder of the Mona Lisa and Moonpie Carnival organization; has been an active planner of the Olde Towne St. Patrick's Parade since its inception; served as a Chamber Ambassdor; and is a member of the East-West Chamber of Commerce Joint Committee on Cultural Economy, Commission on the Arts, Hospice Foundation of the South Board of Directors, and the Slidell Noon Lions Club. She also is a past president of the Olde Towne Slidell Association, and a member of the Ozone Camellia Club and Le Cotillion.

DuBuisson tearfully accepted the award and stressed that any achievements for which she is recognized were made through the active support of family and friends.

"It's not just the single person sitting there; it's all of us, building friendships, working together," she said. "I thank God, I thank God, I thank God for it all. Let's pass it on."...