A great organization, A Girl’s Gotta Go, was recently brought to my attention. The company specializes in vacation packages for women and by women. The website features a ton of great vacation packages for girlfriend getaways or other trips for women. There is also a tool to request a customized vacation package from the organization.

But, what truly impressed me about A Girl’s Gotta Go is the charitable nature of the organization. A portion of each vacation package purchased through the company is donated to breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment. A Girl’s Gotta Go is truly dedicated not only to women, but to women’s issues. The approach of October is the perfect time to get involved, as October marks Breast Cancer Awareness month.

A perfect way to get involved is to join the A Girl’s Gotta Go Team for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The company is involved in the Boston, Mass., race taking place Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Seaport World Trade Center.

Another great offering from the company is the Girlfriend Cruise4Cause. The package provides a supportive, stress-free vacation getaway for females battling any kind of cancer. Every reservation equals a $25 donation to the American Cancer Society. The goal is to raise $2,500 for the organization. The cruise is a four-night getaway to Fort Lauderdale, Key West and Cozumel aboard Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas, from Oct. 22-26. For more information, visit www.agirlsgottago.com/charitable-giving.

Help support a great cause and enjoy a great getaway with A Girl’s Gotta Go. Female travelers may also be interested in participating in Global Traveler’s Female Global Traveler of the Year contest. Enter the contest here.

–Kimberly Krol, eFlyer editor, circulation and public relations executive

Global Traveler is currently running a “Female Global Traveler of the Year” contest. To enter the contest, click here. Personally, I think this is an important issue for us to address, as females still do face challenges, not only in the business world, but also in the travel industry.

During my travels, I have noticed there are certain precautions I must take as a female that males would not even have to consider. A trip abroad for me would be very different from a trip abroad for Fran. When traveling alone, I must consider my safety when planning where I am going, how I will get there and what time of the day or night I will be traveling. I am sure these are factors Fran considers when traveling, but they do not limit him in the same way they would limit me, simply because I am a 5-foot, 3-inch female and Fran is a male over 6 feet tall.

Although the height differences between men and women are not always this drastic, the dichotomy between males and females in business and travel still remains, and is more complicated than height and physical strength. Business originated as a “man’s world.” A man behind a CEO desk is rarely questioned. Even in my own experiences meeting women in upper management, I think to myself, “Hmmm, I wonder how she got here?”. When I encounter a male in the same position, maybe a male undeserving of his status, I think to myself, “I know exactly how you got here!”

This issue of questioning a female’s status, while conceding to the male role, arises because it is more difficult for women to reach higher management positions. We have to prove ourselves more, and I think this stems from the underlying, basic, back-to-nature fact that women have babies. A pregnant woman means maternity leave.

It is easy to sit and complain that this is a man’s world, but I think a more appropriate and accurate standpoint is to understand that life is unfair. Women have always faced challenges and we always will. What is important is the fact that we will continue to succeed. A woman in an upper management position will get paid less than a male, but she will probably receive more recognition because she had a harder climb to the top. In a fair world, we would get both the paycheck and the respect. I am just glad shoulder pads are no longer in style!

–Courtney Centeno, account executive

Last week, I attended the Solheim Cup, as a guest of the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. I enjoy golf, but even the most golf-ambivalent person can’t help but get caught up in the patriotism, competitiveness and excitement of this prestigious event.

Laurie DiBerardino, director of public relations and marketing, took me on a tour of the golf course, Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, IL. Jerry and Betty Rich’s dream was realized with the completion of this magnificent 18-hole course in 1997. It was quickly named the fifth best new private course in the United States.

The course at Rich Harvest Farms is simply beautiful. The Silver 4 hole, named Devil’s Elbow, is both an aesthetic treat and a golfer’s ultimate challenge, due to the multitude of trees virtually outlining the entire path to the green.

As we walked the holes, I tried imagining the angles, the conditions and the thoughts each golfer would face. It made me appreciate everything much more when I watched some action on TV later. It really is an unbelievable course.

The site is also the home of Rich’s large automobile collection, which includes several movie cars and Al Unser’s 1992 Indy car. It was so cool seeing a few of these cars, which were on display throughout the week.

As breathtaking and fascinating as the course and all that encompasses it was, the main focus was the competition between the U.S. women and the women of Europe. Again, thanks to my host, I was able to get within a few feet of the U.S. team as it awaited introductions.

I got chills as I saw Beth Daniel, Michelle Wie, Paula Creamer, Juli Inkster and the others. They were loose, as they joked with fans and posed for pictures. This was an all-star team of women golfers at one of their premier events. The crowd was so extremely boisterous, I couldn’t help but get drawn in.

Morgan Pressel delivered the clinching point on Sunday, as the American team won its third straight Solheim Cup. I didn’t think it was possible, but the crowd got even louder with “USA” chants.

This was simply a fantastic experience. Just being among the crowd at this event would have been great, but being behind the scenes, being up close to the excitement and getting the grand tour made for a memorable time.

- John Wroblewski

This year, Global Traveler helped raise close to $50,000 for the charity Pencils for Kids, Inc. I am proud to be part of a company that gives back. Recently, I’ve decided to help give back to a cause I feel strongly about.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, I will be doing a 5k run for the charity Women for Women. Run for Congo Women was created by everyday women to help raise hope for women living through the horrific war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The money raised will help sponsor support groups, rights awareness, job training, literacy and other training. The goal of Run for Congo Women is for the women of the Congo to be self sufficient within one year after receiving support.

Never heard of this conflict? You are not alone. Most people haven’t. It receives little to no news coverage. I am hoping by doing this run and talking about the conflict with others, I can help raise awareness and hopefully make a small step towards helping end this war. I believe there is hope for these women with just a little support and knowledge.

–Jackie Adam, advertising and editorial coordinator

With less than a month to go, the international golfing community has begun counting down the days in anticipation of the 2009 Solheim Cup.

The Solheim Cup is a biennial, trans-Atlantic team match-play competition pitting the best U.S.-born players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour against the best European members from the Ladies European Tour (LET). The U.S. team leads the competition, 7-3, and has never lost The Solheim Cup on home soil. This year’s event was awarded to the very private — and very challenging — Rich Harvest Farms golf course in Sugar Grove, Ill., just outside of Chicago.

Any true golf fan will be in awe of Rich Harvest Farms — ranked by Golf Digest at No. 51 of the top courses in the country. The course winds through majestic oak and hickory trees, not allowing any short cuts once a golfer is off the fairway. The deep bunkers, the many water hazards and fast greens will make every shot a challenge — and a pleasure to watch.

During the week of the Solheim Cup (Aug. 17-23), some expected 35,000 international attendees daily will descend upon this quaint town, nestled in the heart of the Midwest. Don’t forget to explore Sugar Grove (and neighboring Yorkville, Sandwich and Aurora) with its quaint charm, wide open spaces, model homes and some of the best corn-fed beef around.

The PING Junior Solheim Cup is a biennial, trans-Atlantic team match-play competition featuring the 12 best female junior golfers from Europe and the United States, which will play out Aug. 17-19 at the Aurora Country Club in Aurora, Ill.

The week’s events schedule looks like this:

Monday: Player practice (great time for autographs)

Tuesday: Player practice and the Solheim After Sundown evening event

Wednesday: Past Captains Exhibition and autograph session

Thursday: Player practice, Pro-Junior 4-hole Challenge and opening ceremony

Friday: Four 4-ball matches, four foursome matches

Saturday: Four 4-ball matches, four foursome matches

Sunday: 12 single matches and the closing ceremony

Tickets are on sale for the biennial event with options including the Weekly Grounds tickets, the PING Pavilion tickets and the Solheim After Sundown ticket. Individual single-day tickets are now also available. For tickets and more information on lodging in the Sugar Grove, Ill., area, click here.

-John Wroblewski

Rich Harvest Farms Hole No. 4 a.k.a.  Devil’s Elbow
The most demanding tee shot in golf. The tee shot requires an absolutely perfect shot to a small landing area. Welch Creek, oaks and hickories frame the dogleg left. Entrance to the green from the right will pick up the green’s right-to-left movement.

Golfing Girl
The Solheim Cup has of the most loyal fan bases around!

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