R.I. Government Agencies | Privacy Policy |
Welcome to the Rhode Island Commission on Women web site. Thanks for visiting!
2009 Women of the Year Event a Great Success!
On October 8, 2009, the Rhode Island Commission on Women (RICW) held its annual Woman of the Year event at the Radisson Airport Hotel to honor Lynn Ewart-Paine, Ph.D, Kathleen Hittner, M.D., Beverly Najarian, Senator M. Teresa Paiva Weed, Carol Shelton, Ph.D., and Toby Simon, M.Ed. for their outstanding contributions to Rhode Island women. Hosted by Karen Adams of WPRI-12, the event was attended by more than 300 people including Governor Donald and Mrs. Carcieri, Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis, State Treasurer Frank Caprio, The Senate Women's Legislative Caucus, and Providence Mayor David Cicilline, among others. The honorees were selected for their individual achievements and dedication to improving the status of women in Rhode Island.
 |
Lynn Ewart-Paine, Ph.D., Science and Technology Dr. Ewart Paine is the Deputy Chief Technology Officer of the Navel Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport of the United States Navy. She has demonstrated superb scientific and managerial skills, and has earned an international reputation for her expertise on transduction materials. She has made novel scientific discoveries in research to support sensor and sonar technologies. |
 |
Kathleen Hittner, M.D., Health Formerly the President of the Miriam Hospital Foundation and CEO of the Miriam Hospital, Dr. Hittner was recently promoted to Senior Vice President of Community Health for Lifespan. As a renowned anesthesiologist, she has given numerous presentations and has lectured to all Brown medical students rotating through surgery at Miriam. She also devotes herself to serving in a volunteer capacity to numerous community organizations. |
 |
Beverly Najarian, Trailblazer In 2003, Ms. Najarian became the first woman appointed as director of the largest and most complex department of state government. She currently serves as the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff. Additionally, she has volunteered her time in leadership positions with such organizations as the National Association of Bank Women, Leadership Rhode Island and the Cranston ARC. |
 |
The Honorable M. Teresa Paiva Weed, Public Service Senator Paiva Weed made history in January 2009, by becoming the first women President of the Senate in Rhode Island, one of only six women to serve in this capacity in the nation. She previously served as the first woman Senate Majority Leader and the first woman Senate Judiciary Committee Chairperson. With the Senate Women’s Legislative Caucus, she has coordinated clothing and personal product drives for the Clothing Collaborative and the Crossroads Homeless Shelter for Women. |
 |
Carol Shelton, Ph.D., RN, Education Dr. Shelton was a professor in the Department of Nursing at Rhode Island College until her retirement in 2008. In addition to theory and clinical courses in public health nursing, her fields of study and teaching included health policy related to issues of maternal and child health, advocacy in women’s health, cultural issues in childbirth and mothering, and women’s studies. She was involved in the Diversity Committee on campus and was a New England Center for Inclusive Teaching Fellow. |
 |
Toby Simon, M.Ed., Advocacy Ms. Simon serves as Assistant to the Dean, and Director of the Women’s Center at Bryant University. Prior to her work at Bryant, she worked at Brown University in Health Education and Student Life and at Marymount College where she spearheaded programs that advanced the role of women on campus. She has co-authored peer education training materials for high school and college students to reduce incidents of sexual harassment and violence |
To view photos from the event, click HERE
These generous sponsors honored the 2009 Women of the Year recipients by making donations to the RICW Project, a non-porofit corporation that supports the mission and projects of the Rhode ISland Commission on Women. Donations support such projects as the Girls Non-Traditional Trades Forum and the Freda H. Goldman Education Award.
The Goldman Award provides opportunities for women to continue their education endeavors by assisting with expenditures not normally covered by traditional educational scholarships such as child care, clothing, supplies and other related expenses.
AAA Southern Rhode Island
Amgen
Debruce Blackman LTD.
The Women’s Summit at Bryant University
Richard W. Besdine, M.D. and Terri Wetle, Ph.D
The Honorable Frank A. Ciccone, III, Senator
Joanne M. Hill
Deborah A. Smith
To view photos from the event, click HERE
Congratulations!
The Rhode Island Commission on Women is proud to announce that gubernatorial appointee Nancy Carrioulo has been inducted as a 2009 Fellow in the The Council of Learning Assistance Developmental Education Association. Fellows are selected based on their long-term and significant contributions to the field of education. Selection as a Fellow represents the highest honor conferred upon professionals in learning assistance, tutoring, and developmental education. Congratulations, Dr. Carrioulo!
Rhode Island Commission on Women Director, Shanna Wells, has been recognized as a YWCA Northern Rhode Island 2009 Women of Achievement for her work in empowering women. Ms. Wells' accomplishments were celebrated, along with the other honorees, at the 2009 Women of Acheivement Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, September 30, 2009, at Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln, RI. To read why Shanna was selected, please click HERE.
Rhode Island Coalition Against Human Trafficking
The Rhode Island Commission on Women is a proud member of the RI Coalition Against Human Trafficking (RICAHT). RICAHT is a group of individuals and community organizations combating the issue of human trafficking in the state of Rhode Island.
Human trafficking as defined by the U.S. State Department, is “the recruitment, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion” usually by means of sexual exploitation or labor. Sex trafficking according the the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act induced through force, fraud, or coercion.
UPDATE: On November 4, 2009, Governor Donald Carcieri signed the Anti-Human Trafficking Legislation into law. The new human trafficking bill improves on the law first passed in 2007 by:
Thanks to Represenative Joanne Giannini and Senator Rhoda Perry for sponsoring these bills!
To find out more about Human Trafficking, click HERE.
The mission is to support women in achieving full equity in all areas of life, through the promotion of rights and opportunities for all women. The Commission is a forum where all women can be heard. Our logo is the Rhode Island Independent Woman.
The Commission embraces the concept of full participation by all Rhode Island women. The Commission facilitates opportunities for education and advocacy, through collaboration and networking. The Rhode Island Commission on Women envisions a society where all women have achieved equity in all aspects of life.
