Madison resident Donna Coleman, at right, chats with attendees at the Women Honoring Women press conference hosted by the Women’s Economic Development Council and sponsored by Woody Anderson Ford. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Reporter

HUNTSVILLE – The Women’s Economic Development Council honored six Huntsville-area women at the Women Honoring Women press conference and luncheon at the Bridge Street Westin July 10. Six women were recognized as significant leaders in the areas of arts & humanities, business & professional, community & public service, education, technology and health & human services.

Donna Coleman and Donna Rush, both residents of Madison city, were chosen as honorees at the event. Coleman was commended in the business & professional area as the owner, president and CEO of Aetos Systems, Inc. in Huntsville.

“It’s a tremendous honor that the organization felt I had a story that was fitting of the award,” Coleman said.

Coleman is also a member of Energy Huntsville, an organization that strives to increase diversity in the city’s energy economy sector, and a board member of Choose Life.

Rush, the immediate past president of Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild and honoree in the arts & humanities area, said her motivation to volunteer in the community came from personal losses and hardships.

“I think the reason I was nominated is because I was involved with a number of organizations after the loss of two children and my journey with cancer with myself, so I have managed to find a way through loss to contribute to the community to make some sense and meaning for me in the rest of my life,” she said.

In addition to her work with the symphony, Rush was on an exploratory committee to help direct future expansion of the Madison Public Library. A Madison resident since 1993, she said working to open new opportunities for women of all ages, including her 17-year-old granddaughter.

“Now, women are encouraged to think outside the box,” Rush said. “There isn’t a job that isn’t possible for young women.”