MINNEAPOLIS, February 2005 — The Optical Women's Association (OWA) today announces it will honor Mimi Friedfeld, co-owner, ClearVision Optical, with the 6th Annual Pleiades Award at its cocktail and award reception on Friday, March 11, during the weekend of International Vision Expo in New York. The event will be held in the Marchon Eyewear Showroom located at 8 West 40th Street. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6 p.m. The award presentation will begin at 6:45 p.m.
Friedfeld began her career with ClearVision Optical in 1968. Over the years, she managed the accounting and personnel departments and contributed to design of the company's fashionable eyewear products. Most notably, Friedfeld has helped her husband, ClearVision Optical founder Fred Friedfeld, grow the family-run business from a small regional wholesaler to one of today's most respected leading optical distribution companies.
Today, ClearVision Optical's business remains in the family. Mimi and Fred Friedfeld's son David serves as the company's president, and their son Peter serves as its executive vice president. Friedfeld stays involved with the company by holding a seat on its Board of Directors. She has been an active member of the OWA since its inception.
The Pleiades Award spotlights an individual who has shown a commitment to the mission of the OWA by fostering the growth of women in the industry. The Pleiades Award is named for the star cluster Pleiades in the Taurus constellation. The Pleiades is also known as the "Seven Sisters" — referring to the seven brightest stars in the cluster. The cluster was named for Atlas' seven daughters, whom Zeiss turned into stars.
Pleiades Award winners have a star named after them and receive a star map and certificate as part of their recognition. Prior recipients have included Dana R. Weeks, Optical Services International (OSI), Carene S. Kunkler, Sight Resource Corporation, Andrea Gluck, Eyewear Designs, Inc., Tom Styers, Essilor, and Charles "Pat" Patterson, Walman Optical.
The invitation to attend this event is extended to both OWA members and non-members. Guests are asked to RSVP by February 28 via email to or by calling (612) 520-6185.
The event was sponsored by Marchon Eyewear and SOMO Optical.
The event venue was kindly provided by Marchon.
Marchon Eyewear Showroom
8 West 40th Street, 21st Floor
(b/t 5th and 6th Avenue)
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