Ontario University Athletics (OUA) will recognize the top female scholar-athletes from across the province at the eighth annual Women of Influence Luncheon on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 from 12 to 2 p.m. at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (South Building – Hall G), 255 Front Street West in Toronto.
The event honours female student-athletes who have excelled in their chosen sports, fields of study and community involvement. OUA will be announcing four winners a week leading up to the luncheon date on March 2. This year's guest speaker will be tennis star Venus Williams.
Acknowledged as one of the most successful female athletes of the 21st century, Williams’ tennis career earned her 41 singles titles over her continuing 17-year career on the pro circuit and she was the first African American to be ranked at No. 1 on the pro tour. Her community involvement and charity work have allowed Williams to be involved at the grass-roots level of tennis and makes her an exceptional advocate of female athletics.
The California native began her tennis career as part of the United States Tennis Association junior tour and went an astounding 63-0. By the age of 14, Williams had joined the pro tour and in April 1997 she broke into the Top 100 rankings after defeating former No. 9 Iva Majoli. That same year, Williams became the first woman since 1978 to reach the finals of the US Open on her first attempt.
Williams finally captured her first Grand Slams at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2000. The same year, she won the gold medal at the Olympics in Sydney, Australia and from there Williams began her domination of the pro tour. Within the decade, Williams captured seven Grand Slams and another 26 titles on the tour. Ten doubles Grand Slams were won playing with her sister Serena Williams and together they became the most celebrated female tennis players of the decade.
Off the court, Williams is a successful author, creative designer, entrepreneur and fashion icon. In December 2007, Williams received her associate degree in Fashion Design. From there, she launched her EleVen fashion line and is the chief executive officer of her interior design firm “V Starr Interiors”.
Williams' further projects include her role as founding ambassador for the WTA_UNESCO Gender Equality Program. After meeting with officials in 2005 about Wimbledon’s and the French Open’s refusal to pay equal prize money for men and women, Williams published an essay in The Times in 2006 arguing the important of gender equality. Williams was successful at Wimbledon and later the French Open announced in February 2007 that it would award equal prize money in all rounds of the Open.
Join OUA as Williams speaks about her career on and off the courts, and how she set a new standard for all female athletes around the world.
2010-11 OUA WOMAN OF INFLUENCE
Brock Badgers: Jasmine Mian
Carleton Ravens: Gillian Turnbull
Guelph Gryphons: Brienne Stairs
Lakehead Thunderwolves: Daphne Haggarty
Laurentian Lady Vees: Katie Goggins
McMaster Marauders: Jessica Pearo
Nipissing Lakers: Lessa Church
UOIT Ridgebacks: Shannon Galea
Ottawa Gee-Gees: Brittany Harrison
Queen's Gaels- Charly Thivierge-Lortie
RMC Paladins - Laura Gray
Ryerson Rams - Stefanie Webster
Toronto Varsity Blues - Jen Rossiter
Trent Excaliber - Maija Robinson
Waterloo Warriors - Reanne Holden
Western Mustangs - Hayley Nell
Wilfrid Laurier - Liz Knox
Windsor Lancers - Noelle Montcalm
York Lions - Amber Aquin
The following are proud sponsors of the eighth annual Women of Influence Luncheon: