When Canadian composer and philanthropist, Ann Southam passed away last year, she knew what she wanted to do with a portion of her money. The donation to the Canadian Women’s Foundation, which is more than $14 million, “stunned” Beverley Wybrow, President and CEO of the organization.   A long time supporter of programs to help women, including shelters for those who are abused to career advancement and self-confidence programs, she chose the Foundation as it, unlike many other women-centric organizations, like her, supported a broad range of issues, according to her brother, Kip Southam.

Ann Southam

The Foundation will be investing a majority of the gift in the Ann Southam Empowerment Fund, which will “help make the Foundation permanent for the women and girls of Canada” and will help generate earnings and help support the organization’s various programs.  Another portion of the gift will go to the Girls’ Fund, a program that Ms. Southam helped found.  Girls’ Fund, founded in 2006, helps boost self-esteem of tweens just as decline in self-esteem begin to mount. The program helps girls, among other things, learn how to stay safe, challenge the media’s view of women and in general, grow more self-confident and stronger.

Canadian Women’s Foundation logo

Helping women and girls improve their lives has been part of Ms. Southam’s work for years, having worked with the Foundation for over 12 years, as a philanthropist, spokesperson and donor.  The $14+ million to the Canadian Women’s Foundation is, according to press releases, the largest single donation to a women’s organization to date.  No part of this donation is specifically geared towards music or the arts in general, however.