Margarett Best, MPP of Scarborough-Guildwood, has been named one of the nation’s most influential women of 2010.
The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity compiles the list every year. According to Karin Lofstrom, spokesperson for CAAWS, a lot of thought goes into creating the list.
“Women on the list are people who increase the opportunity for girls and women to lead and participate,” Lofstrom said.
Best was chosen for banning flavoured cigarellos in Ontario, helping push the bid for the 2015 Pan Am games and providing hockey leagues for the Aboriginal youth in Northern Ontario.
CAAWS is a non-profit organization that strives to acknowledge the leadership role Canadian women play in society.
“The great thing about our list is that it gets people discussing successful and influential women,” Lofstrom said. “It doesn’t happen often. Big companies will recognize one or two women a year.”
While women on the list receive certificates for their achievements, the most rewarding part, according to Loftstrom, is the recognition these women receive both from their peers and globally.