I am such a fan of the Canadian Women’s Foundation! A public foundation, it consists of committed supporters, donors and volunteers across the country and diligent, enthusiastic staff workers that passionately believe in the importance of social change.

In the simplest terms, CWF invests in programs that move women and girls out of violence, out of poverty, and into confidence. In part these programs strive to:

 teach young people about healthy relationships;

 counsel children who have witnessed violence, to help them heal and prevent them from becoming victims or abusers themselves;

  support women as they rebuild their lives after abuse.

On Wednesday of this week, the CWF organized a wonderful evening at the headquarters of the YWCA in Toronto to celebrate some of the dedicated people from across the country who put programs in place and keep them running, often under the most difficult conditions. Having the opportunity to speak with these people was beyond inspiring.

With an increase from 14 programs offered last year to 28 this year, there is still so much work to be done! The surface is barely scratched. Please take a look at the CWF website and consider how you can be involved.

To top off this evening, the guest speaker was Sami Jo Small, a proud Olympic gold medal winner and enthusiastic co-founder of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League. I must admit it was quite a thrill to hold that magnificent medal as it was passed around!

Sami’s message was powerful, as she led us on her journey from being the only girl on a boys’ hockey team in Winnipeg at the age of 5 to joyfully standing on the podium at the Olympics. She stressed how things didn’t always go as she would have wished in her career but the lesson she learned was this: you can’t always choose the role you want in life but you can choose how you play the role you are handed. Words to live by.

Investing in the power of women and the dreams of girls.

Are you involved in any work that helps to inspire young girls or educate impoverished women  to assist them in building a new life for themselves and their families? And how about girl’s or women’s hockey? Have you ever played the game or attended a women’s hockey game? Strap on your skates and give it a try!