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home  quotes from herstory
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Female Elected Officials Gather:
Mia Ackerman, Cumberland Town Council; Denise Arsenault, Bristol/ Warren School Committee; Linda Beaulieu, Cumberland School Committee; Elizabeth Burns Brunero, West Warwick School Committee; Anna Cano-Morales, Central Falls School Board; Kim Casci, East Providence City Clerk; Elizabeth Dennigan, Representative; Kristine Donabedian, Lincoln School Committee; Anne Ejnes, Glocester School Committee; Laura Flanagan, Coventry Town Council; Virginia Hanois, Smithifeld School Committee; Joy Hearn, Representative; Kelley Nickson Morris, Cumberland Town Council; Allison Nugent, Scituate Director of Public Welfare; Lindagay Palazzo, West Warwick School Committee; Mary Parella, Bristol Town Council; Katherine Patenaude, Coventry School Committee; Valerie Perry, East Providence City Council; Elizabeth Roberts, Lt. Governor; Deborah Ruggiero, Representative; Mary Anne Shallcross Smith, Representative; Loren Spears, Narragansett Tribal Council; Nancy Sprengelmeyer, Coventry School Committee; Helen Taylor, Warwick City Council; Donna Travis, Warwick City Council; Mary Varr, Lincoln School Committee; and Amy Breault Zolt, Pawtucket School Committee.
Twenty-seven of Rhode Island’s WHO (Women Holding Office) attended YWCA’s 2009 celebration honoring women’s achievements in politics, see list on left. The keynote speaker was Victoria Budson, founding executive director of The Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard’s Kennedy School, center left.
Without women in politics and government, someone else will always be speaking for us, if anyone speaks up at all. Thank you for your voice, courage, vision and leadership,” Deborah L. Perry, executive director of YWCA Northern Rhode Island said.
Journalist Reza Clifton was the event emcee. The Honorable Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts gave opening remarks. Spoken word and rap artist Hannah Claire Resseger performed her original piece “Matriarch.” Community activist Sandy Riojas assisted with roll call. Program partners were League of Women Voters of Rhode Island, Center for Women & Enterprise, and RI Commission on Women.
Brunero, Dennigan, group photos by Agapao Productions; others courtesy of Nugent, Rice, Ruggiero.
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 Elizabeth Brunero
School Committee, West Warwick
“I love children and watching them learn. With my interest in educational issues and as a former kindergarten teacher, I believed if I was on the school committee I could have a stronger voice for better education.”
 Elizabeth Dennigan
Representative, District 62
“I first ran for elective office because my city wanted to close a local library; I was on the board of Common Cause at the time and wanted to work in the legislature on good government issues; and the incumbent had just voted against a bill that would have prohibited discrimination in jobs and housing. My family was excited about helping me get elected.”
 Allison Nugent
Director of Public Welfare, Scituate
“I have a lifetime of experience in finding ways to keep household and personal expenses down to a minimum, and at finding resources . . . I look forward to working with the community in growing our food pantry and teaching our children that kindness and charity begin at home – and with our neighbors!”
 Amy G. Rice
Representative, District 72
“I ran for office because I care deeply about improving our educational system, our taxes, healthcare and our environment.” “Rhode Island just met the national average of 22% of women legislators, up from 17% last year. So while we may have come a long way it is not long enough and we need more women.”
 Deb Ruggiero
Representative, District 74
“I ran for office because I wanted to make a difference. Politics is about policy. Policy is about making a difference. You can only make a difference when you have a voice at the table. We need more diverse voices; we need collaboration, inclusiveness and openness in government, and we need more women!”
 Donna M. Walsh
Representative, District 36
"My advice for women running for office: 1) plan well in advance; 2) be involved in your community not only to network but also to learn what the issues are for those you hope to represent; 3) research the candidate you will run against; 4) know yourself - why are you running and what do you want to accomplish; and 5) form a personal 'Board of Directors'."
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