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Audrey Rust of Menlo Park named Athena Award winner

by Sue Dremann

Audrey Rust of Menlo Park, the longtime leader of Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), will receive this year's 2010 Athena Award, the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce has announced.

Ms. Rust will receive the award at a Chamber luncheon Nov. 17 at the Garden Court Hotel in Palo Alto.

The award honors women who demonstrate excellence and creativity in business, contribute to the quality of life in their communities, and help other women realize their leadership potential.

Under her leadership since, POST has protected 63,000 acres of open space land in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties.

"Audrey Rust's achievements in more than two decades as president of Peninsula Open Space Trust are as magnificent as the natural spaces she has worked so hard to preserve," Congresswoman Anna Eshoo said in a letter supporting her nomination.

These lands have become parts of the National Parks System, the National Wildlife Refuge System, California State Parks, county and city parks, regional open space preserves, and private farmland.

Prior to her tenure at POST, Ms. Rust worked with the Sierra Club, Yale University and Stanford University. She has served on numerous local, state and national organizations, primarily in conservation and housing.

Athena International established the Athena award in 1982, a professional businesswoman's organization dedicated to woman's leadership. Various host organizations, including chambers of commerce, administer the award annually. Tickets for the luncheon are available by calling 324-3121.