RBC joins Catalyst in calling for more women as board directors

RBC also donates $375,000 to Canadian Women's Foundation on International Women's Day

TORONTO, March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - RBC today joined Catalyst in making a public challenge to corporate Canada to increase their recognition of successful women by naming more of them as directors to their boards.

RBC signed the Catalyst Accord, supporting a call to action for Canadian corporations to increase the overall proportion of "FP500" board seats held by women to 25 per cent by 2017. Currently, five of the 16 directors on the RBC board (31 per cent), are women.

In addition, supporting the U.N.'s theme for this year's International Women's Day - "Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures" - RBC Foundation today announced that it is donating $375,000 to the Canadian Women's Foundation over the next three years. Of this funding, $150,000 will go toward core support of the Canadian Women's Foundation and its work to help women and girls in Canada move out of poverty, out of violence and into confidence. The remaining $225,000 will go to the Canadian Women's Foundation Girls' Fund, to help young girls aged 9-13 build their self confidence, improve their critical thinking abilities and gain financial and media literacy skills.

"We need to prepare girls now for their future roles in a global and knowledge-based economy - where women are obtaining university degrees at increasing rates, starting businesses, influencing purchasing decisions and accumulating wealth," said RBC's Chief Human Resources Officer Zabeen Hirji. "We support the Canadian Women's Foundation and its Girls' Fund so that women and girls can develop their skills and talents, build their confidence and realize their dreams. Inspiring girls to achieve their full potential as women starts with equipping them to succeed today."

RBC Foundation was instrumental in helping the Canadian Women's Foundation establish the Girls' Fund in 2006 and has donated over $1.5 million dollars to Canadian Women's Foundation initiatives since 1993.

"We're delighted with the announcement of the RBC Foundation gift. This continues our long-standing partnership and RBC's commitment to investing in the power of women and the dreams of girls in Canada," said Beverley Wybrow, CEO of the Canadian Women's Foundation. "We especially appreciate RBC's vision and innovation in helping to found the Girls' Fund in 2006, recognizing that today's girls are tomorrow's leaders."

RBC also marked International Women's Day by announcing the 2012 call for nominations for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, an annual event that honours the success of women entrepreneurs across the country. To make a nomination or to apply, visit http://www.theawards.ca/cwea/index.cfm.

RBC 2011 Donations in Support of Women and Girls

100 Mile House and District Women's Centre Society
Association d'entraide Le Chaînon
Auberge Madeleine
AWHL-Assaulted Women's Helpline
B.C. Women's Hospital and Health Centre Foundation
Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre
Belleville Pregnancy and Family Care Centre
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada
Breast Cancer Support Services (Serving Hamilton/Halton-Wentworth)
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association Foundation
Canadian Federation of University Women
Catundra Day Care Centre
Chisholm Youth Services
Colonie Sainte-Jeanne D'Arc
Dress for Success Vancouver Society
Fondation du Centre de réadaptation Ubald-Villeneuve
Fondation du Centre des femmes de Montréal
Fondation Gisèle Faubert
Forzani Group
Frontline Breast Cancer Foundation
Girl Guides of Canada
Grande Prairie Women's Residence Association
Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis
Haldimand-Norfolk Women's Services
Homeward Family Shelter
Iris Kirby House
La Méridienne
Le cran des femmes
L'Entre-temps des Franco-Manitobaines
LOFT Community Services
Logis Rose-Virginie
Looking Glass Foundation for Eating Disorders
Massey Centre for Women
Minerva Foundation for BC Women
Miriam Home Foundation
Mount Saint Vincent University
National Council of Jewish Women of Canada
Nazareth House Mount Saint Vincent University
NorQuest College Foundation
Opportunity International Canada
Ovarian Cancer Canada
Positive Women's Network Society
Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre Foundation

Red Deer & District Community Foundation
Relance Jeunes et Familles
Relations publiques sans frontiers
Rue des Femmes de Montréal
Salvation Army
Sexual Assault Centre for Quinte and District
Sophia Recovery Centre Inc.
South West Crisis Services
St. Francis Xavier University
St. John's International Women's Film and Video Festival
Stardale Women's Group Inc.
Three Oaks Foundation
Townships Project
Tri-County Women's Centre Society
University of Prince Edward Island
Victoria Women's Transition House Society
West Coast LEAF Association
Women in Crisis (Algoma) Inc
Women's Community House
Women's Health Clinic
YWCA - Brandon
YWCA - Calgary
YWCA - Peterborough
YWCA - Quebec
YWCA - Toronto
YWCA - Vancouver

SOURCE RBC