January 17, 2008
CAAWS names 2007 List
Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity
Ottawa, ON . . . The breadth of involvement of women across many aspects of sport and physical activity is demonstrated by the women named to the 2007 list of Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity. From advocates to volunteers, the list represents a wide cross-section of talented women from across the country.
The list is compiled by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS). Twenty women were named to the 2007 list, and three young women were named as “ones to watch”. The list recognizes women who have made a significant impact as academics, athletes, administrators, advocates, broadcasters, coaches, executives, fundraisers, managers, politicians, physicians, and volunteers. While many of the women named have had significant careers, the selection to the list reflects their influential activity in the calendar year 2007.
Returning to the list are Melody Davidson, General Manager of the National Women’s Hockey Team Programs; Silken Laumann, Author of the book Child’s Play; Physician Margo Mountjoy who sits on the world governing body for aquatics; Carla Qualtrough, the President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee; Sheryn Posen, the Chief Operating Officer of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame; and fundraiser Jane Roos who continues to encourage corporate support for Canada’s amateur athletes.
The 2007 Most Influential Women are:
- Cassie Campbell, Calgary, Alberta
- Polly Craik, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Charmaine Crooks, Vancouver, British Columbia
- Sheilagh Croxon, Toronto, Ontario
- Melody Davidson, Calgary, Alberta
- Guylaine Demers, Québec City, Québec
- The Honorable Helena Guergis, Angus, Ontario
- Silken Laumann, Victoria, British Columbia
- Nancy Lee, Vancouver, British Columbia
- Pat Messner, Carleton Place, Ontario
- Margo Mountjoy, Guelph, Ontario
- Kelly Murumets, Toronto, Ontario
- Carla Qualtrough, Vancouver, British Columbia
- Sheryn Posen, Toronto, Ontario
- Cathy Priestner Allinger, Vancouver, British Columbia
- Sara Renner, Canmore, Alberta
- Jane Roos, Toronto, Ontario
- Teresa Schlachter, Calgary, Alberta
- Beckie Scott, Panorama, British Columbia
- Hayley Wickenheiser, Calgary, Alberta
From: www.caaws.ca/influentialwomen/e/index.htm
Three young leaders whose influence is being noticed were named as “Ones to Watch”.
Holly Micuda, Oakville, ON
A young 11-year old elementary student took a simple idea, and has now raised several thousand dollars to help Canadian Olympic athletes. Holly Micuda has now sold more than 17,000 of the $3 wristbands with the proceeds going to Canadian Athletes Now, a non-profit organization that raises funds to support Canadian athletes’ training, coaching and living expenses in preparation for international competition. She came up with the idea as she was watching the Torino Olympics. She had a class assignment about whether athletes deserved more funding and she decided to take her assignment a bit further into action. Her original goal was to raise $2000, and she started by taking the idea to her own school principal, and selling them at her school. She then sold them at the Ottawa marathon race weekend, and at other events. The red and white wristbands are inscribed with Canadian Athletes Now on the outside and a slogan Holly created “Don’t just hope they’ll win, help them win” on the inside. With her fund raising efforts at over $35,000, Holly has certainly made a difference to help Canadian athletes win. From: www.caaws.ca/influentialwomen/e/2006/list.htm