2009-2010 STRATEGIC PLAN

The Rhode Island Commission on Women (RICW) is a State agency established in 1970 to advocate, educate, and advise regarding issues impacting the status of women in Rhode Island. The RICW consists of twenty-six members, including three from the House, three from the Senate, twelve public members appointed by the Governor, and eight members appointed by State agency directors.

The RICW Mission

he Rhode Island Commission on Women supports women in achieving full equality in all areas of life, through the promotion of rights and opportunities for all women.

The RICW Vision

The Rhode Island Commission on Women envisions a society where all women have achieved full equity in all aspects of life.

Strategic Focus

Over the next two years (2009-2010), the RICW will focus its work in five strategic areas:

• Economic Equity
• Outreach and Advocacy
• Education
• Health
• Political Participation

Economic Equity:

The RICW will address the issue of Economic Equity for women by proposing and advocating for pay equity and comparable worth legislation.

Outreach and Advocacy:

The RICW will promote its work through outreach and advocacy for women by:

• Educating the public regarding legislative issues, the state of the women’s prison, women’s health issues, and others matters impacting women in Rhode Island through an enewletter, op/ed articles, letters, public speaking and other venues.
• Hosting the annual Women of the Year event, recognizing exemplary women from Rhode Island.
• Strengthening relationships with the Senate President and women elected officials.
• Advocating for legislation that betters the lives of women and girls in Rhode Island.

Education:

The RICW will help to educate women by:

• Distributing the Freda H. Goldman Education Scholarship Award annually to women who need financial assistance to pursue education or training beyond high school.
• Educating girls and women about opportunities in non-traditional trades via the Girls Non-Traditional Trades Forum, the New England Girls Collaborative and research on technical and trade enrollment in Rhode Island.

Health:

The RICW will address women’s health issues including:

• Funding for detection and treatment of breast cancer.
• Increased awareness and protection of women’s heart health
• Awareness and prevention of infant mortality especially in Rhode Island’s minority populations
• Treatment and prevention of HIV in women by collaborating with nonprofit agencies and health organizations that promote women’s health initiatives.

Political Participation:

The RICW will encourage Rhode Island women to participate more fully in the political process by running for office and advocating with their local legislators.

The RICW Project:

In addition, the RICW will work to strengthen its operations, increase its capacity and promote its mission through the official launch of the RICW Project, a 501C3 nonprofit organization whose primary responsibility is to support the mission of the RICW by raising funds for RICW projects and advocating for women’s equity in the public, private and nonprofit sectors and to initiate projects that support the efforts of RICW.

In conducting this work, the RICW will enlist the support of community volunteers to broaden its reach and ensure that it is effectively using its limited resources to improve the status of women and girls in Rhode Island.