Minister Ambrose announces Honorary Youth Ambassador for first-ever International Day of the Girl

OTTAWA, Sept. 25, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, announced Ms. Alaina Podmorow as Honorary Youth Ambassador for the inaugural International Day of the Girl (IDG), which takes place on October 11, 2012.

"I am very pleased to present Ms. Alaina Podmorow to Canadians as Canada's Honorary Youth Ambassador for the world's inaugural International Day of the Girl," said Minister Ambrose. "Alaina brings a strong background in working to advance equality for women and girls and is an inspirational role model for us all!"

Minister Ambrose has led the international community in adopting the International Day of the Girl. This day will make a real difference in the lives of girls and young women, as citizens and as powerful voices of change in their families, their communities, their countries and around the world.

"I am very excited about this first-ever International Day of the Girl and truly honoured to be chosen as Canada's IDG Honorary Youth Ambassador," Ms. Podmorow said. "I'm looking forward to meeting with Canadians to promote this important day. I encourage everyone to join in this annual effort to make a real difference for girls and young women."

The inaugural International Day of the Girl will take place during Women's History Month in October with a corresponding theme -"Strong Girls, Strong Canada: Leaders from the Start." The theme of Women's History Month 2012 celebrates the leadership roles that girls and young women have played throughout our country's history.

Canadians are encouraged to take an active role in celebrating International Day of the Girl by participating in - or organizing - activities to honour the girls and young women in their own communities. For more information or to send an electronic postcard, please visit www.dayofthegirl.gc.ca.

BIOGRAPHY - Alaina Podmorow

At just 15 years of age, Alaina Podmorow is living proof that a little inspiration can lead to great things! Journalist and human rights activist Sally Armstrong's 2006 speech on the plight of Afghan girls and women so inspired Alaina that she founded Little Women for Little Women in Afghanistan. She was only nine years old at the time! The organization supports education projects in Afghanistan.

Alaina dedicates herself to the organization, which has raised close to $400,000, and now has 10 chapters in Canada and the United States. Alaina speaks to audiences across Canada, sharing information about the importance of education as a key tool in peace-building.

For her efforts, Alaina has received several awards, including the Huggable Heroes Award (2010). In 2011, she was named Top Teen Philanthropist in Canada. In 2012, Alaina received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal and the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation Global Citizen's Initiative Award. Now the 2012 Honorary Youth Ambassador for Canada's first-ever International Day of the Girl, Alaina is a grade ten student at Aberdeen Hall Preparatory in Kelowna, British Columbia.

Alaina Podmorow - a history-making Canadian girl and a future great Canadian woman!

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada