LONDON, Ont. - Western rower Jennifer Martins has been named a Woman of Influence by Ontario University Athletics (OUA), an honour bestowed to female scholar-athletes who have excelled in their chosen sports, fields of study and community involvement.

The OUA will recognize Martins along with 18 other Women of Influence from across the province at a luncheon on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ont. This year's guest speaker will be dual-sport national athlete, Olympic gold medalist and OUA alumnus Heather Moyse.

Name: Jennifer Martins
School: Western University Mustangs
Sport: Rowing
Program: Dentistry
Year of study: 2

The fourth-year rower has been a key contributor throughout her years on Western’s top rowing squad, and 2011 was no different. Jennifer, along with her teammates in the eight-man and four-man swept gold, and finished first overall at the OUA championships in October. Shortly thereafter, at the Canadian University Rowing Championships, she earned two gold medals and a second-place overall finish.

Outside of the varsity scene, Jennifer is a member of the Canadian U23 rowing squad and she accredits her proudest athletic achievement to winning gold and setting a world record time in the event at the U23 world rowing championships in July.

When she’s not on the water, Jennifer keeps busy volunteering with the City of Toronto’s Youth Lifeguard Club, a program that offers free swimming and water safety instruction to children in low-income areas. She is a strong student, and after completing her undergraduate degree in three years, is now in her second year of dental school. Congratulations Jennifer!

What is your proudest academic achievement?

Getting into dental school after 3 years of undergrad with a very high GPA for all three years.

What is your proudest athletic achievement?

Winning gold at the under 23 World Rowing Championships in the women's 8+ this past summer.

What is your most memorable community related moment?

I have had the privilege of working as a lifeguard and swim instructor for the city of Toronto for several years. Most recently I worked at a pool in a lower-income area of the city. Once a week we opened up the pool for the Youth Lifeguard Club (YLC)--a free program, which children under the age of 16 are able to join in order to learn basic swimming and life guarding skills. Members of the YLC are given a chance to learn valuable skills and water safety information, but at the same time they can meet other children in the neighborhood and make friends. I really enjoy teaching children how to swim and the importance of water safety, especially when those children may not be able to afford proper lessons on their own. The excitement on a child's face when they master a new skill for the first time is unforgettable.

What woman has most influenced you, and why?

Jane Thornton-- She has won several international medals in rowing and has been to the Olympics. Along with her rowing achievements she has also been quite successful academically, currently she is completing an M.D. program at the University of Toronto.

What are your future plans?

After dental school I may just work minimally for a few years in order to focus on rowing. Eventually I plan to work as a dentist full time.

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2012 OUA Women of Influence:

Brock Badgers: Jessica Del Signore, Physical Education, Basketball
Carleton Ravens: Evelyn Marshall, Political Science, Water Polo
Guelph Gryphons: Kylen Van Osch, Biomedical Science, Volleyball
Lakehead Thunderwolves: Emma Brightwell, Sociology, Wrestling
Laurentian Lady Vees: Emily Jones, Sport/Physical Education, Swimming
McMaster Marauders: Natasha Turner, Honours Arts & Science, Rugby
Nipissing Lakers: TaraLynn Ray, Education, Cross Country
UOIT Ridgebacks: Christie Attwood, Kinesiology, Rowing
Ottawa Gee-Gees: Elise Desjardins, Human Kinetics, Soccer
Queen's Gaels: Katie Matthews, Honours Science, Volleyball
RMC Paladins: Chantal Boucher, Honours Chemistry, Fencing
Ryerson Rams: Carli Yim, Radio/Television Arts, Volleyball
Toronto Varsity Blues: Katherine McNeill, Physical Education, Field Hockey
Trent Excaliber: Daniela Sheinin, History, Swimming
Waterloo Warriors: Jessica Lawson, Science & Business, Field Hockey
Western Mustangs: Jennifer Martins, Dentistry, Rowing
Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks: Laura Crocker, Psychology, Curling
Windsor Lancers: Erika Reiser, Kinesiology, Track and Field
York Lions: Kathryn Pistor, Kinesiology, Track and Field/Cross Country