TD donation will enable Minerva to continue with program

Minerva is known as the goddess of warriors, poetry, medicine, wisdom, commerce, crafts, and the inventor of music. However in British Columbia, women know Minerva as the foundation of inspiration and empowerment.
The non-profit, independent, and aptly named Minerva Foundation has been in existence since 1999 and their mandate is to help women and girls alike, reach their full potential by creating opportunities and offering programs through trusted partnerships in four key areas: Education, leadership development, economic security, and safety.
"In particular, the four key areas. There's a lot of barriers to education for women. Leadership, a lot of women don't fully explore their potential in leadership. Economic security, women who have been out of the workforce due to childrearing or who just have skills but don't recognize the skills that they have. Safety, women safety is an issue throughout the province so I think that there really is a need for this foundation and a need for the programs that we run," said the Program Director for the Combining Our Strength initiative, Courtney MacFarlane.
"We're proud to offer them (the programs.) A lot of women have learned certain things going through life and going through their careers that they really just want to pass on to other women to try and make it easier for them."
The Minerva Foundation prides themselves on their commitment to diversity and working with Aboriginal women, however in 2005 that commitment became much more intense with the Combining Our Strength initiative. The initiative is a partnership of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women. It is designed to empower and create opportunities for Aboriginal women.
The Foundation feels that women's rights, or women being recognized is still a plight. However that plight become less difficult with the TD Bank Financial Group pledging $125,000 over five years as a corporate supporter of the Combining Our Strength initiative. Perhaps this will open the door for other corporations to consider sponsorships.
"I think the TD is really being a leader in recognizing that what the Minerva foundation is doing here, has quality programs, and helping to really expand this partnership. And so with TD being on board they're really paving the way for perhaps recognition from other corporations."
For more information go to www.theminervafoundation.com