89th Annual Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race Dinner
Enjoyed a Friday night out at the 89th Annual The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race Dinner at Toronto’s Omni King Edward Hotel. The gala was hosted by The Oxford and Cambridge Society of Toronto as a fundraiser for the Clarendon Oxford & Cambridge Society of Canada scholarships. Raising funds for education is always, in my opinion, a worthy cause.
(Special thanks to The Private World of Mary Tripi salon for your fabulous hair services – and to Tara Dawood for the photo.)
In attendance were more than 100 alumni and their spouses/partners. The event featured a keynote by the former Speaker of the House of Commons, the Hon. Peter Milliken, who spoke about his time as the Speaker. Entrepreneur and lawyer, and former Jesuit, Dr. Gary Mooney, gave the most inclusive grace ever, respectfully moving away from tradition and recognizing others from all the various religious and ethnic groups in attendance. As well, Supreme Court Justice Ian Binnie said a few words and long-time society member, Maggie Norman, led our traditional toast to the Queen.
This year’s scholarship goes to PhD candidate Arup Nath – big congratulations!
(With Tara Dawood, President/CEO, LADIESFUND)
(Great conversations with my friend Tara Dawood)
The society announced a new president: Janice Robson – congrats! Best wishes to outgoing president, Daniel Kaute, who did many good things for the society over the years running it. Special thanks to the lovely Lindsay Shaddy who stepped in as an interim president during the time of transition, to all the people who worked tirelessly to pull-off the event, and to long-standing society member, Maggie Norman, for inviting me to be a guest at her table.
(Dr. Gary Mooney gives grace, with Maggie Norman on stage)
(Special thanks to Maggie Norman for inviting me to sit at her table; photo courtesy of Tara Dawood)
Tonight’s guests on Extraordinary Women TV on Rogers TV: filmmaker, Tina Petrova & fundraiser/social worker, Whitney Wilson
NEWS RELEASE:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Guests on tonight’s episode of Extraordinary Women TV on Rogers TV
filmmaker Tina Petrova; PLUS Whitney Wilson, social worker/fundraiser, John Howard Society of Toronto
TORONTO, Nov. 25, 2013 – Tune-in tonight for the next episode of season two’s Extraordinary Women TV, when host Shannon Skinner speaks with critically-acclaimed filmmaker, speaker and advocate in the area of chronic pain, Tina Petrova; PLUS a social worker, Whitney Wilson, whose present job as a fundraiser with the John Howard Society of Toronto has her dedicated to taking a unique yoga and meditation program into Canadian prisons. The show airs at 7pm ET on Rogers TV Cable 10 & 63 in Toronto/Scarborough.
The hit television series began as the first-of-its-kind web TV talk show for women in Canada, and has grown into an inspirational, relevant and informative resource for women who want to follow their hearts and dreams, and live extraordinary lives. In January 2013, the show began airing on Rogers TV in Toronto/Scarborough. This past summer, the show was also picked up on Rogers TV Mississauga and Richmond Hill.
Shannon’s guests are successful women from all walks of life – many high-profile — from Toronto and across Canada, from a range of industries, including: arts and entertainment, business, finance, charities, eco, media, experts – and more. The show’s second season will also include insightful interviews with one of Canada’s most successful women, TV personality and designer, Debbie Travis; and many more.
Some past notable guests include: singers Jully Black, Sarah Slean and Suzie McNeil; entertainment editor at 680 News, Gloria Martin; dean of law faculty at the U of T, Mayo Moran; fashion designer and Canadian icon, Linda Lundstrom; president/CEO, ROM, Janet Carding; Rebecca MacDonald, founder, Just Energy; actress Sarena Parmar; Plan Canada’s president/CEO, Rosemary McCarney; beauty expert, Cheryl Gushue; among many others.
More than 230 one-on-one, in-studio interviews have been archived since its inception in September 2010. Extraordinary Women TV is produced and owned by Shannon Skinner and Comfy Chair Productions Inc., and is filmed in Toronto.
Rogers TV Toronto’s full scheduling information: click here.
Verity raises funds for computers for Regent Park’s Nelson Mandela Park School
Last night, I attended the Verity Club‘s Veritylink fundraising event “Wine, Women & Song.” The terrific event was the first fundraising event to support the Veritylink $100,000 technology drive for the Nelson Mandela Park School in Toronto’s Regent Park.
Located just down the street from Verity, Toronto’s premiere private women’s club founded by Mary Aitken, the school is filled with kids curious to learn, but does not have the technology that so many other schools and children have access to for learning. Toronto’s Regent Park is Canada’s oldest and largest social housing project, and home to a number of low-income families and many children living in poverty.
The goal is to bring computers and smart boards to the school this year. The technology will also help produce a school newspaper and assist with learning for students with learning disabilities.
The evening program included lovely opening remarks from Verity founder, Mary Aitken, a markeplace, silent auction and raffles, and remarks from Nicole Pearson, the principal at Nelson Mandela Park School; plus entertainment by Hammerband and singer Jessica Chaikowsky.
Oh, and the tea sandwiches, supplied by George, were out of this world!
Photo: Mary Aitken gives her opening remarks.
Extraordinary Women TV announces media sponsorship of 85Broads-Toronto’s “Women & Philanthropy” event, in partnership with Plan Canada
For Immediate Release
Shannon Skinner’s Extraordinary Women TV partners with 85 Broads-Toronto
Women & Philanthropy fundraising event, in partnership with Plan Canada
TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2012 – Shannon Skinner’s Extraordinary Women TV is pleased to announce it is the media sponsor of Women & Philanthropy, a fundraising event hosted by 85 Broads – Toronto Chapter and in partnership with Plan Canada. It is taking place Nov. 13, 2012 in Toronto and proceeds will go to two girls the chapter sponsors through Plan Canada’s Because I am a Girl initiative.
The event features guest speaker, Rosemary McCarney, president and CEO, Plan Canada, a global movement for change, mobilizing millions of people around the world to support social justice for children in developing countries, who will speak about her journey to success, and the evolving relationship between women and philanthropy.
“Both organizations are doing amazing things for the community, for women and girls,” says Shannon Skinner, creator and host, Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner. “I hope this event will inspire more women to get involved in philanthropy.”
The event will be held at La Marquette Restaurant (111 King St. E.) from 6 p.m.-8 p.m., in Toronto.
For more information about ticket sales and event details, visit: 85 Broads-Toronto Chapter.
Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner is a first-of-its-kind web TV talk show that is an inspirational, informative and relevant online resource for women everywhere who want to follow their hearts and dreams. More than 160 one-on-one interviews with successful women from all walks of life — Canadian and international — have been conducted and archived since its inception in Sept. 2010.
85 Broads is a global network of over 30,000 women who are inspired, empowered and connected. The network originated with a group of trailblazing women who worked for Goldman Sachs at 85 Broads Street in New York and now includes members in more than 90 countries, including Canada.
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For information, contact:
Shannon Skinner
Creator/Host, Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner
416-576-8809 (cell)
info@skinnerpublicity.com
www.ExtraordinaryWomenTV.com
www.ShannonSkinner.com
Lend to End [poverty]: is micro-lending, micro-franchising the answer in South Africa?
On Tuesday night, I had the pleasure of attending the sixth annual Lend to End [poverty], a fundraising event in support of the Townships Project. The initiative was started by a Canadian woman whose drive, tenacity and vision are admirable: Martha Deacon.
![Martha Deacon, Lend to End [poverty], Shannon Skinner attends fundraising event, May 2012](https://shannonskinner.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DSC00363-300x168.jpg "DSC00363")
Martha Deacon speaks at Lend to End poverty
I had interviewed Martha Deacon, an astute businesswoman, on my show Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner several months ago. I was both inspired and moved by her vision to help end poverty in South Africa. Her inspired journey began upon hearing Nelson Mandela speak, who asked for help to “break the cycle of poverty” in his country. Martha heard the calling and her heart’s desire grew rapidly. She created the Townships Project, a Canadian non-profit jump-starting business in South African townships through micro-lending, micro-franchising and asset-based community development.
I am fascinated by the concept of micro-lending and micro-franchising. As Deacon, a firecracker of a woman, said in her speech that night: “Franchising is the most successful business model on Earth.”
It was during a trip to Africa that Deacon looked around and had an aha moment: when she asked the question: “What are the assets we have?”
“This is an empowering question,” adds Deacon.
According to Deacon, the question most asked instead is: What do we need? She adds: “This is a disempowering question.”
Ever since her aha moment, Deacon has been trailblazing in the area of micro-lending and micro-franchising in South Africa. How does micro-franchising work? Franchising takes a successful business and replicates it. Micro-franchising presents this same model to the poor (asset-based community development), creating affordable business ownership, reliable systems and family employment.
Brilliant.
Since 1999, The Townships Project has helped South African organizations make repayable, interest-bearing loans to people living in the townships, enabling borrowers to operate a range of small businesses, to become self-sustaining and break the cycle of poverty.
Back to the Lend to End [poverty] event…
What a fun night! It was held in Toronto’s newest venue, Arcadian Loft, which overlooks old City Hall. A highlight of the event was the silent auction, which featured AbantuArt Gallery – an installation and silent auction of Shona sculpture masks and artifacts from Africa.
“![art auction at the Lend to End [poverty] event on May 2012](https://shannonskinner.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DSC00353-168x300.jpg "DSC00353")
one of the cool pieces up for auction at Lend to End poverty
There was a sampling of various South African wines (my favourite). It also featured Dare to Wear Love – creation of Hoax Couture designers and founders, Chris Tyrell and Jim Searle.
“![another piece of art up for auction at the Lend to End [povery] fundraising event](https://shannonskinner.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DSC00355-168x300.jpg "DSC00355")
another piece of art for auction at Lend to End poverty
Waleed Abdulhamid, a multi-instrumentalist, provided entertainment.
Congratulations to the team that pulled off this terrific event, including event chair, Lorraine Kirchmann, who gave a fantastic remarks.
You can read about the organization and success stories and more about it here.
Check out my interview (VIDEO) with Martha Deacon – click here.
