WOONSOCKET, R.I.—In what she sees as a “big step forward” for the industry, Jennifer Jolicoeur has been honored on the floor of the general assembly of the Rhode Island State House for her work as a successful business owner and for her achievements in supporting breast cancer awareness.
Jolicoeur is the founder of Athena’s Home Novelties, a home party business for pleasure products.
“The fact that the state of Rhode Island honored a sex toy home party company is a big deal,” Jolicoeur told AVN. “I received two standing ovations for my work as an entrepreneur. The Speaker of the House Gordon Fox, who is second in command to the governor, said that he was ‘in awe’ of what I have done!”
Jolicoeur was recognized during the General Assembly Session at the Rhode Island State House on May 23. Fox praised Jolicoeur as a thriving business owner, providing independent, rewarding careers for so many Rhode Islanders and individuals nationwide. He also acknowledged Jolicoeur as creator and spokesperson of Athena's Cup, which provides information and awareness vital to the eradication of breast cancer.
"[This] is one of the true highlights of my life,” Jolicoeur said. “This year Athena's is celebrating a milestone of 15 years in business. I knew that the fledging adult home toy home party business I started in a basement would grow to impact and empower women to take charge of their lives, but the obstacles have at times been overwhelming. This recognition enforces my plans to grow both Athena's Home Novelties and Athena's Cup. When the Athena's Cup breaks the world record for the most bras hooked together I will be called back to the state house and they will take a vote on a statewide Athena's DAY!"
Founded in 1998, Athena's Home Novelties is one of the country's premier adult novelty companies with more than 1,200 active independent consultants, or "Goddesses and Adoni," operating in more than 45 states nationwide. Athena's seeks to empower women through sexual education in a safe and comfortable environment by offering only the highest quality products presented by a trained Athena's Goddess or Adonis. Through its wide range of sensual home novelty and spa products, Athena's in-home parties are designed to bring passion into the lives of everyday women.
In addition to the recognition of her business, Jolicoeur was honored for Athena's Cup, a national campaign that aims to collect and hook together 169,000 donated bras in an effort to raise breast cancer awareness and attempt to break the current bra-chain Guinness World Record. To date the Cup has collected more than 106,200 bras.
The Athena's Cup, founded in 2009, has provided an amazing journey toward awareness and self fulfillment for both Jolicoeur, her staff and thousands of distributors nationwide. "Little did we realize when we began Athena's Cup we would have the opportunity to touch so many lives and play such a large part in the conversation that is taking major steps for the prevention and potential cure." said Jolicoeur. Proceeds raised from Athena's Cup will benefit the The American Cancer Society, Planned Parenthood, Breast Cancer Screening Programs and The Gloria Gemma Foundation. In honor and memory of breast cancer survivors, donors are encouraged to write the names of a loved one or other meaningful inscriptions on the bras prior to sending them in. Gently worn bras received will be donated to battered women shelters following the campaign. Shelters interested in receiving a donation of bras are encouraged to send a request to [email protected].
To donate to the Athena's Cup Campaign, send one or more bras, with a $5 donation, in an effort to raise half a million dollars for breast cancer research, to Athena's Home Novelties, 640 Winter St., Woonsocket, RI 02895.
For more information, or to make an online donation, visit AthenasCup.org.
To book a party, become a Goddess, or learn more about the company and its products, visit AthenasHN.com.
