On October 3, 2007, the Rhode Island Commission on Women (RICW) held its annual Woman of the Year event at the Radisson Airport Hotel to honor Lynn T. Antonelli, Ph.D., Mary Reilly, R.S.M., and Karen F. Stein, Ph.D., for their outstanding contributions to Rhode Island women. Hosted by Karen Adams of WPRI-12, the event was attended by more than one hundred, fifty people including Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts, Senator Charles Levesque, and Representatives Raymond Gallison, Jr., Joseph Trillo and Nicholas Mattiello. The honorees were selected for their individual achievements and dedication to improving the status of women in Rhode Island.

	Dr. Lynn T. Antonelli:  Dr. Antonelli, of Cranston, RI, is an engineer with the United States Navy and is a recognized researcher and world leader in the area of laser-based sensors technology.  She pioneered an optical solution for detecting underwater sounds from the air.  Since 1999, Dr. Antonelli has provided educational laser demonstrations to school children and judged local school. She has encouraged middle school and college age women to study math and science, giving them a window into the life of a female engineer.
	Sister Mary Reilly:  Sister Mary Reilly of Bristol, RI, has spent the last sixty years working for the betterment of girls and women.  She is the founder and executive director of Sophia Academy and she was a founding member of such local area non-profits as McAuley House and Dorcas Place.  Additionally she serves on the board of directors of the Rhode Island Rape Crisis Center (Day One), The Women’s Center and the Genesis Center, to name a few.  She has worked tirelessly to empower women and girls to meet the challenges of their world.
	Karen F. Stein, Ph.D.:  Dr. Karen Stein of Kingston, RI, helped found and develop the Women’s Studies Program at the University of Rhode Island (URI), and is its current Director.  She also headed various committees to improve working conditions for part-time faculty, who are primarily women.  As the co-chair of the URI President’s Commission on the Status of Women, Dr. Stein co-authored the new parental leave policy and is currently working on new strategies to address sexual harassment and other issues of concern to women at URI.

These generous sponsors honored the 2007 Women of the Year recipients by making donations to the RI Commission on Women Freda H. Goldman Education Award. This awards program 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.

 

Senator June N. Gibbs

Jack and Marilyn Greenfield

Hugh D. McCracken

Marlies Parent

The Sisters of Mercy Northeast

To view photos from the event, click HERE