TORONTO - Women of Influence Inc. is embarking on an ambitious challenge to raise money to influence the lives of girls across Canada with their scramble golf tournament for professional women. Funds go to the Canadian Women's Foundation (CWF) Girls' Fund to develop leadership skills in girls during the critical ages of 9-13. The initiative began with the intention to ensure a future of Women of Influence breaking barriers and advancing in the workforce.

Developing leadership skills in girls is paramount to increasing their chances of success and contribution to the Canadian economy. Girls are growing up in a society where they are not acknowledged for their intelligence, passion or authority. Girls need to feel confidence in themselves and leading the world. Developing these skills teaches girls how to be leaders and to act on their passions, be in positions of responsibility and not to buy into the culture that women don't match up.

"Bombarded by media images of impossibly thin, airbrushed, and sexualized young women, girls today are constantly given the message that they don't measure up," said Beverley Wybrow, President and CEO of the Canadian Women's Foundation. "Through the programs CWF funds, girls are empowered to develop confidence, to see themselves as leaders, and to ultimately change the messages that are all around them."

Women will become a girl's best friend as they gather on June 16th at Angus Glenn Golf Club in Toronto, and August 10th at Heritage Pointe Golf Club to play the male dominated sport and put girls atop the leader board.

"Raising money for the Girls' Fund is an important initiative for our organization, and for our team. We continue to see, and the facts continue to prove, that there is a strong need to focus on women's advancement in the workforce. We want to see more women of influence leading Canada, so we're starting early and contributing to their development as girls. Coincidentally our group is made up of passionate and bright young women who want to make an impact, and this is a program that they can not only relate to but feel great about", says Carolyn Lawrence, President of Women of Influence Inc.

Beginners are encouraged to participate in the event where they can learn at a clinic and try their skills in a nine-hole tournament. And more experienced players participate in the 18 hole tournament, all followed by a luncheon, speaker and silent auction.