Any Woman... Can give people Hope!

Clara Hughes

Clara Hughes really is an inspiration to us all! Not only is she one of only 4 people (and the only Canadian!) to win an Olympic medal in both the summer and winter games, she’s become well known for her positive outlook, dedication to helping out those less fortunate and for her fantastic smile! She’s worked with children on the Right to Play initiative and most recently has been the spokeswoman for Bell Canada’s ‘Lets Talk’ campaign.

By standing up and telling her personal experiences with depression, Clara is trying to remove the stigma associated with depression and mental illness. Her honesty really spoke to us and we feel she’s on the road to another incredible achievement in changing the lives of so many Canadians. Clara has raised so much money and motivated the whole country to talk about their issues.

No wonder she’s been honoured with the International Olympic Committee’s Sport and Community Award, is a two-time recipient of the Spirit of Sport Award, has a star on Canada’s ‘Walk of Fame’, was the 2010 Olympic flag bearer, is part of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and has been made an officer of the Order of Canada. PHEW! She really is one amazingly beautiful and successful woman.

“I think that for me the most important thing about sport right now is the potential impact it can have on the youth in Canada. They need something and they need some source of inspiration, not to make them great athletes but to make them outstanding people and people with goals and intentions that are good." – Clara Hughes

Any Woman... Can have impact

Ilona Gamble

This post is about a woman who has truly made a difference in my own life. Ilona Gamble is one of those people who never tires of helping others. Aside from raising 3 successful children, she has taken on numerous projects in the community to give people a helping hand. Ilona shows her generosity of spirit most when taking in foreign guests and helped them out when they arrive in Canada, most recently two British ice hockey players in their early 20’s, myself included. Not only did she offer me her home, but she has treated me like her own child, with affection, love and support. I've watched her generosity manifest itself in every project she has time for, from being actively involved in her community church, to regularly donating both money and time to raise funds for the needy.

Around all this charitable work, she works as a substitute Elementary school teacher, building a rapport with the kids she sees on a regular basis. Ilona is dedicated to maintaining high academic standards, is patient and loving with all who know her and never lacks enthusiasm when it comes to helping someone out. She truly loves her job and always has a lovely story about a child she has helped during the day.

She is one of those ‘everyday heroes’. A genuinely good person, who often doesn’t get anywhere near the recognition she deserves.

Ilona Gamble once told me that it was her aim in life to just be a great mum, she certainly managed this with her children and their friends, as well as achieving things most people never even dream about! Good work Ilona!

Any Woman... Can set trends!

Sharon Cornwall

Sharon Cornwall is one of the women really pushing to make a difference in the world today. As founder and president of ‘Fashion has no borders’, she has made it her aim to change people’s perceptions on what we consider to be ‘beautiful’. By sticking out for women’s rights and ‘real beauty’ she aims to diversify the world, getting more natural shaped models from various backgrounds into the limelight. This strong, independent woman is not only successful, but is standing up for a cause she believes in. Good for you Sharon!

You can find out more about Sharon and Fashion Has No Borders here.

http://www.fashionhasnoborders.com/

"Truly beautiful women rely upon inner strength rather than external factors in determining what makes them beautiful!" – Sharon Cornwall

Any Woman... Can "Do It Solo"!

http://www.solomag.com

OK, OK we know this isn’t one person, but the concept and aims of solomag.com deserve some recognition!

Jacqueline Parker and her team offer a lifestyle magazine for fabulously single women, giving advice, resources, tips and encouragement on a variety of issues that have impact on daily life. They deal with careers, finance, real estate, relationships and travel, teaching women that they can ‘do it solo’!

Sometimes, especially around Valentines day, it’s hard to enjoy being single, but Solomag is all about getting away from the perception that being single is ‘bad’ and showing the world that we can all do anything we put our minds to. We love their positivity and helpful tips on day to say issues.

Thanks Solomag!

"You may not be single forever, so embrace it and enjoy the freedom while you have it because if you can't enjoy spending time with yourself - how can you expect anyone else to enjoy spending time with you?" - Jacqueline Parker

Any Woman... Can be a 'SuperMum'!

Erica Ehm

Erica Ehm is an incredibly successful woman. She found fame as the first female MuchMusic host, but her mult-faceted media career has spanned TV, radio, film, theatre, journalism, songwriting and music producing.! 

But to us, Erica is a real inspiration because she's a 'Super Mum' She's the co-creator and host of 'Yummy Mummy', a parenting show for the music video generation and the 'yummy mummy club'. If that's not enough she's worked with 'What's Up Kids' magazine, promoting good parenting and literacy, has written and produced 3 stage musicals for the family market and has also accepted a position on the Advisory Board of the Heritage Education Foundation. In all she does, Erica Ehm encourages women and young people to follow their dreams and we love her dedication to being a fantastic parent and role model for all women!

"I hear myself saying the same tired old mantra of never being ‘good enough’, ‘beautiful enough’, ‘young enough’, ‘thin enough’. I catch it and change the words in my head! I’m amazing. I’m gorgeous. I’m strong. I. AM. BEAUTIFUL! Inside and Out. There, I’ve said it. Publicly. And it feels GOOD." - Erica Ehm

Any Woman... Can make a Difference

Jeanne Beker

It's easy to think of Jeanne Beker as only a fashion journalist and TV icon because of her work with CTV. However, she has lent herself to numerous charities and causes in recent years and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for good causes.

Beker has stood alongside charities for numerous events, giving her name and popularity to increase awareness of issues and promote fundraising events such as the 'Ron White Charity Shoe Drive', the 'Strut for a Cure' cancer fundraiser and the healthy body image 'Every Woman Competition'. She's an honorary chair for Toronto's 'Fashion Cares' HIV/AIDS fundraising and is on the Gilda's club board, which raises money towards providing free social and emotional support programmes for kids, teens and adults with cancer! Not only does she look fabulous but Jeanne Beker makes so much difference in the world and that certainly makes her one of our big inspirations!

"Women who act in spite of their fears, challenges, circumstances or setbacks, to create the lifestyle of their dreams, on their own terms, are truly amazing" - Jeanne Beker

Any Woman... Can be a Survivor!

Kelly Falardeau

Kelly Falardeau is an incredible woman by no stretch of the imagination. She’s a mother, a wife, an author, a business woman, a blogger, a motivational speaker and a documentary producer. What makes Kelly even more special is that she has managed all of this while overcoming her own insecurities and health issues after suffering horrific burns as a child. 

Kelly has encouraged millions of people to see past scarring and disability and to see the true beauty in every person, and importantly see real beauty in our selves! She has been on a journey of self discovery and acceptance that led her to pursue a dream of being a catwalk model, which she achieved in the 2010 Every Woman competition. Kelly wanted to share the qualities that have kept her going through the years and that have helped her overcome so many challenges. “My scars made me different and that’s what makes me beautiful”. In the end, her outstanding bravery, style, finesse and passion for finding beauty in the soul won her the ‘Twitter Choice Award’ of the 2010 EWC.

“Many people have told me I have made a difference in their life and inspired them to be more accepting of themselves and to recognize what makes them truly beautiful. I never knew I could have that kind of impact on anyone!” - Kelly Faladeau