New York, NY — The Optical Women's Association, (OWA), has selected its 2004 Pleiades Award recipient as Dana Weeks. The Pleiades Award was created to honor one individual each year that has shown exceptional support of the OWA and of women in the optical industry.
A member of a third-generation wholesale laboratory family, Dana joined her Father, Duane Reese, in 1988 at Optical Services International, which he founded. Since that time, OSI has become the largest independent wholesale laboratory association in the US. She has been president of OSI since 1990. Currently she directs all facets of the group’s activities, including pursuing new business opportunities for OSI members and developing and implementing marketing and educational programs for both the dispenser and consumer. She works closely with OSI’s vendors on premium product development, marketing new products and negotiating contracts. Dana has represented OSI at numerous industry conferences and events and serves as the group’s liaison to other industry groups such as the Optical Laboratories Association and Vision Council of America. She was selected as one of the 50 most influential women in optical in 2003 by Jobson Publishing.
Prior to coming to OSI, Dana was a National Account Representative for 3M Company. She is a single Mother of one grown son.
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.
The event will be held March 21st, 2003 from 6:30-8:00pm at the Marchon Showroom at 8 West 40th Street, 21st Floor (between 5th/6th Ave) in New York City. The Award presentation will be held at 7:00pm. The event is open to all Vision Expo attendees.
The OWA's Mission is to enhance and promote the leadership role of women in the optical industry through networking, education, and peer support. The Optical Women's Association is a non-profit organization, founded in 1997. Our projects and programs include:
Click on the award winners' names from 2003 forward to see more information about the Pleiades Award recipient.
2024 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Rebecca Giefer
2023 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Karen Roberts
2022 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Erinn Morgan
2021 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Gai Gherardi
2020 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Millicent Knight, OD
2019 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Holly Rush
2018 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Ashley Mills
2017 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Kate Renwick-Espinosa
2016 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Sue Downes
2015 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Maureen Cavanagh
2014 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Sherrie Rogerson
2013 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Marge Axelrad
Press Release
2012 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Shirley Platzer-Stocks
Press Release
2011 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Christie Walker
Press Release
2010 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Danne Ventura
2010 Awards Cocktail Reception and Presentation
2009 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Rene Soltis
2008 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Stephanie K. De Long
2007 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Deborah Malakoff
2006 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Janet Callif
2005 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Mimi Friedfeld
2004 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Dana Weeks
2003 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Carene S. Kunkler — Sight Resource Corporation
2002 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Andrea Gluck — Eyewear Designs
2001 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Tom Styers — Southern Optical
2000 OWA Pleiades Honoree — Pat Patterson — Walman Optical