The ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award recipient is Erin Rains, family nurse practitioner with Saint Thomas Medical Partners.
Like the ATHENA Award, the Young Professional Leadership Award recognizes an emerging leader under 40 years old who exemplifies the ATHENA attributes and serves as a role model for young women.
A native of Murfreesboro and MTSU alumna, Rains worked for 14 years as a travel nurse and in critical care nursing before graduating as a family nurse practitioner.
Over her career she has lent her knowledge to a variety of professional organizations, her workplaces and the community at large through volunteering.
But Rains' impact on the community can best be seen in her work with the Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center.
"My voluntary work with the Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center reflects my struggles and triumphs in my personal life," she said. "I’m a victim, a survivor, and now an advocate speaking out against domestic violence and sexual assault.”
As a member of the board and her past as a victim of domestic violence, Rains saw a way to help victims by helping guide the decision to provide a safe, private place to perform sexual assault examinations.
She helped the center relocate to a new office building in efforts to provide many of these exams in a more comfortable, private space.
Rains has also worked to create and refine its annual fundraisers.
In 2017, she created the plans and vision for Boots & Brews, a fun-filled night of live music, food, and craft beer tasting, which is the newest fundraiser for the Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center. In its second year, Boots & Brews raised more than $15,000 and doubled attendance. Rains also revamped the center’s annual Tip Your Waiter luncheon, making last year’s event the most successful to date by raising more than $21,000.
Rains was honored along with the 2019 ATHENA Young Professional nominees were Jayme Brunson, American Association of University Women of Tennessee; Courtney E. Chavez, United Way of Rutherford & Cannon Counties; Dr. Amy Hodgin, Junior League of Murfreesboro; Kenzi Keene, RUTHERFORD Cable; Becky Lanham, Murfreesboro Kiwanis; and Kim N. Page, Chi Omega Alumnae of Murfreesboro.
In addition to founding sponsor RUTHERFORD Cable, community sponsors Pinnacle Financial Partners and Deloitte.
Partner sponsors First Tennessee and Guaranty Home Mortgage Corporation and Sustaining Sponsor TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center. The 2019 ATHENA Awards are supported by sponsors State Farm, Ascend Federal Credit Union, First Tennessee, Farrar|Wright Attorneys and Advisors, Redstone Federal Credit Union and UPS as well as in-kind sponsors Wax Family Printing, Bell Jewelers, Stones River Total Beverages, Daffodilly Designs, Angel Pardue Photography and media sponsor VIP Murfreesboro.
RUTHERFORD Cable is the premiere leadership organization for women’s professional advancement. The 10-year-old organization of more than 250 members provides professional and personal development, as well as business growth through building long-term relationships, structured networking and referrals. The organization is a chapter of the 40-year-old Nashville Cable. Visit rutherfordcable.org to learn more.
